Composite White Fillings

Composite fillings are made from a mix of tooth-coloured resin and tiny ground glass pieces. This material bonds to your tooth. It blends in and looks more like natural tooth enamel.

It varies from person to person. How long yours lasts depends on where the filling is and how big it is. It also depends on how much wear it gets and how well you care for your teeth.

It is a fair question. Composite fillings are strong. In studies, silver (amalgam) fillings often lasted longer. But silver fillings do not bond to the tooth. Some studies found more cracks in teeth with silver fillings. Composite bonds to the tooth, and the materials keep getting better.

Generally, yes. Composite fillings are tooth-coloured, so they blend in with your own teeth. This makes them a more esthetic choice than silver amalgam fillings.

Composite fillings work well for small to medium-sized cavities. A cavity is a hole in a tooth. Some cavities are large. Some teeth take a lot of pressure, like molars. For these, your dentist may suggest another choice and talk it through with you. It could be an inlay, an onlay, or a crown.

Generally, yes, it can be done safely. But a silver (amalgam) filling in good shape does not usually need to come out. There is no health reason to remove a sound silver filling. Silver fillings should generally not be removed because of concerns about mercury.

The exception is an allergy or sensitivity to the filling. Most fillings are replaced when they are worn or cracked, or when decay forms around them. Some people ask to replace them for looks. Talk this over with your dentist first, because each new filling removes a little more tooth.

Your dentist can check your fillings and tell you if any need replacing.

Many insurance plans cover composite fillings. But coverage can change with the tooth and the type of filling material used. We suggest you check with your insurance provider, and you are welcome to ask us for help.

After a composite filling, you may still be numb from the freezing. Try not to chew on your lip, cheek or tongue. Keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing often. Your dentist may give you other steps, based on your treatment.