Tooth-coloured Fillings. 

For repairing smaller chipped teeth or cavities.

Say goodbye to the days of silver coloured fillings with aesthetically pleasing, tooth-coloured fillings that no one will notice.

What is involved in a tooth-coloured filling

An example of when a tooth-coloured dental filling is used are:

  • Restoring damage from decay (caries)

  • Repairing a broken or fractured tooth from grinding or trauma

  • Replacing old and broken down fillings

  • Preventing tooth sensitivity from over brushing or erosion

  • Changing the appearance and shape of teeth

Composite fillings come in multiple shades allowing us to match them easily to your natural tooth-colour. Composites are made of a mix of glass and plastic particles which forms a soft moldable material that allows us to recreate the tooth shape.  The composite is bonded to the tooth using a resin- based bonding material  that is built up in thin layers.  Each layer is set with a curing light to create a strong tooth coloured structure. At the end of your appointment the filling is  shaped and polished.

Composites or tooth-coloured fillings conserve tooth structure as they bond to any cavity shape and special shape preparation is not required like the amalgam restorations  require.

A glass ionomer filling is also a tooth-coloured filling.  The colour match of these fillings is not as good as the composite fillings.  They also bond to the tooth structure therefore don’t require any additional removal of tooth tissue.

The Glass ionomer filling is a lot softer than both the composite.  They wear faster but keep the tooth very healthy due to a slow release of fluoride.   They are useful in patients who have a high decay (caries) rate, as a temporary filling, or when the filling is smaller and as a base for deeper fillings.

When a filling becomes large or there is a large loss of tooth structure, it may be recommended to place a ceramic or gold crown, inlay or onlay to increase longevity of the tooth. The lifespan of all the composite and glass ionomer filling types reduces as they become larger.

Your dentist will discuss the best options and materials for you and the tooth that needs restored.