Quick answer: Tooth-coloured fillings are made from composite resin, shaded to match the natural tooth and bonded directly to it. Because they bond rather than being held mechanically, less healthy tooth usually has to be removed than with a traditional amalgam filling.
What a filling is doing
Decay destroys tooth structure. A filling removes the decayed tissue and replaces the lost volume, restoring the shape of the tooth so it can chew properly and sealing the cavity so bacteria cannot continue into the deeper layers.
Composite compared with amalgam
Composite resin is a tooth-coloured material placed in layers and cured with a light. It bonds chemically to the tooth surface, which means the dentist can generally be more conservative about how much healthy tooth is removed, and it can be shaded to match the surrounding enamel closely enough to be invisible in normal conversation.
Amalgam is the traditional silver material. It is durable and well proven, particularly on large back-tooth restorations under heavy load, but it is held in place mechanically rather than bonded, which means the cavity has to be shaped to retain it — sometimes removing sound tooth to do so.
Where composite works well
- Front teeth, where appearance matters most
- Small to medium cavities anywhere in the mouth
- Repairing chipped edges and worn areas
- Replacing old restorations that have started to leak
- Restoring exposed root surfaces where the gum has receded
Where a filling is not the answer
There is a limit to how much of a tooth a filling can replace. Once too little sound structure remains, a filling flexes under chewing forces and the tooth fractures around it. At that point a crown is the more sensible restoration, because it covers and holds the tooth together rather than sitting inside it.
What the appointment involves
The tooth is numbed, the decay removed, and the surface prepared and conditioned so the composite bonds. The material is placed in increments and each layer light-cured, then the filling is shaped, the bite checked and adjusted, and the surface polished.
You can eat as soon as the numbness wears off — composite is fully set when you leave, unlike amalgam.
Sensitivity afterwards
Mild sensitivity to cold for a week or two after a deep filling is common as the tooth settles. What is not normal is pain on biting that persists, or sensitivity that worsens rather than fades. Call the practice if either happens — often it is simply a bite that needs adjusting by a fraction of a millimetre.
Making fillings last
Fillings do not last forever; margins eventually wear and can leak, allowing decay underneath. Regular examination catches that early, when replacing the filling is straightforward. Good cleaning between the teeth protects the margins, and treating grinding protects the whole restoration. Call (860) 756-5423.
Frequently asked questions
Are tooth-coloured fillings as strong as silver ones?
Modern composites perform well in small and medium restorations. For very large restorations under heavy chewing load, a crown or an onlay is often a more durable answer than any direct filling material.
Do tooth-coloured fillings stain?
The surface can pick up staining over years from coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco, and the margins can discolour as they age. Polishing at a routine cleaning helps, and heavily stained composites can be replaced.
Can I replace my old silver fillings with white ones?
Sound amalgam fillings that are sealing well do not need replacing simply because of their colour. Where an old filling is leaking, cracked or failing, replacing it with composite is a reasonable option to discuss with your dentist.
Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
Mild cold sensitivity for a week or two after a deep filling is common while the tooth settles. Pain on biting that persists often means the bite is very slightly high and needs adjusting, which takes moments.
How long do composite fillings last?
It varies with the size of the restoration, where it is in the mouth, and the patient. All fillings eventually need replacing as the margins wear. Regular check-ups catch failing margins while replacement is still simple.
Book with Connecticut Family Dental Group
Connecticut Family Dental Group is at 88 New Britain Avenue, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Call (860) 756-5423 or request an appointment. The practice is open Monday through Thursday.
This article is general information for patients and is not a substitute for an examination or individual clinical advice. If something in your mouth is painful, swollen or changing, call the practice.