Composite Fillings
Tooth-coloured composite fillings repair decay and small damage while matching the shade of the tooth around them.
A composite filling is a tooth-coloured material bonded directly into the prepared tooth and shaped to match. It restores the tooth and, unlike older silver amalgam, is not obvious when you laugh.
Where composite works well
- Small to moderate areas of decay
- Chipped or worn front teeth
- Replacing older fillings that have failed or discoloured
- Closing small gaps between front teeth
- Repairing tooth surface lost to grinding or acid wear
What to expect
The tooth is numbed, the decay removed, and the composite placed in layers and hardened with a curing light. It is shaped and polished so that it feels right when you bite. The tooth may be sensitive to temperature for a short while afterwards, which usually settles on its own.
Common questions
- How long do composite fillings last?
- Well-placed composite lasts many years, though the exact life depends on the size of the filling, where it sits in the mouth and whether you grind your teeth. They are checked at every routine exam.
- Can I replace my old silver fillings?
- Often, yes. Whether it is worth doing depends on whether the existing filling is still sound. We will tell you honestly if replacing one would create more problems than it solves.