Tooth Colored Fillings

Silver (mercury) fillings have been used for decades in dentistry. Recent and ongoing research shows that due to the expansive nature of this material fractures and cracking of teeth occurs. Teeth restored with old silver fillings also don’t reflect light therefore give the appearance of darkened, gray teeth. Additionally the mercury in these fillings has been shown to have systemic effects on the immune system.

For these reasons our office provides patients with multiple alternatives to these silver fillings. We prefer and recommend bonded fillings (tooth colored) in most cases where tooth structure and strength is not compromised. These resin fillings match your teeth so perfectly that they cannot be detected, so patients look cavity free.

The procedure of restoring a tooth with a resin filling is similar to the traditional silver fillings. First the decay is removed and the tooth is prepared to receive the tooth colored composite. The composite material is layered into the cavity preparation and hardened with a curing light. The filling is then polished and the bite is checked. Tooth colored resin fillings blend well with the surrounding teeth and enhance a bright, youthful smile.




FAQ’s About Tooth Colored Fillings:

What are tooth colored fillings made of?
Tooth colored/white fillings are made of a light cured resin. In other words the filling is initially a soft putty-like resin that gets hardened in the mouth with a blue (curing) light.

Do tooth colored fillings last as long as silver fillings?
Some tooth colored fillings if performed properly may last as long as silver fillings. The compression and bonding strength of resin materials has improved dramatically over the years thereby increasing their life span.

Should I change all my silver fillings to tooth colored fillings?
Unless there is a cavity or cracks in old silver amalgam fillings it is not usually recommended to change all the silver fillings to tooth colored fillings. The actual drilling process to remove silver fillings may be irritating to the tooth so unless it’s necessary it is not advisable to undergo unnecessary dental treatment.