Striking Smile

Tooth-Coloured Fillings


For some, the appearance of conventional amalgam (metal) fillings is unattractive. The fillings are obvious when patients smile and can cause the teeth to appear discoloured.

For patients who need a filling but don’t want it to be visible, tooth-coloured composite fillings can be an appealing alternative. Composites can also be used for minor reshaping of chipped teeth or to fill small gaps between teeth to give patients a more even, appealing smile.

What Is a Composite Filling?

Composite fillings are usually formed using a mixture of resins, fillers, and colourants, and applied to the tooth in layers and “cured”. Unlike silver amalgam fillings, composites can be made to match the colour of natural teeth.

Since the composite bonds directly to the tooth, these fillings require less removal of healthy tooth, which leaves more remaining tooth structure intact. Composite fillings are also less susceptible than metal fillings to cracking and chipping because of temperature changes in the mouth, such as occur with hot and cold foods or liquids.

How Is a Composite Filling Placed?


The dentist will match the colour of the natural tooth and mix up a composite that is then applied in layers with curing between each layer. Once built up, the filling will be shaped to look natural and to contour to the bite, and then polished smooth.

Why Choose Composite?

Composite fillings offer a better esthetic than metal fillings. They can also act more like natural tooth structure, helping to avoid fractures from uneven stress when biting.

Contact our office to schedule an examination or to ask questions about tooth-coloured composite fillings.