Tooth-colored composite dental fillings restore a damaged tooth and blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth for a picture-perfect smile.

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Tooth-Colored Fillings

For some, the appearance of standard silver amalgam fillings is unattractive. They are noticeable when you smile and can cause your teeth to appear discolored.

If you need a filling but don’t want it to be visible, tooth-colored composite fillings are appealing alternatives. Composites can also be used for minor reshaping of chipped teeth or to fill small gaps between teeth to give you a more even, appealing smile.

What Is a Composite Filling?

Composite fillings are usually formed using a mixture of resins, fillers, and colorants, which are applied to the tooth in layers and “cured." Unlike silver amalgam fillings, composites can be made to match the color of your natural teeth, giving you a more seamless-looking filling than amalgam fillings.

Since the composite bonds directly to your tooth, these fillings require less removal of the healthy tooth, which leaves more remaining tooth structure intact. Composite fillings are also less susceptible to cracking and chipping due to temperature changes in your mouth than amalgam fillings.

How Is a Composite Filling Placed?

To place a composite filling, the dentist will numb the area if necessary and remove any decay. The remaining tooth structure is then etched to create a rough surface for the composite to bond to.

The dentist will match the color of your 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 contour to your bite and look natural and then polished smooth.

For areas needing larger fillings, a semi-direct or indirect filling may be used. These consist of composite that is either built up inside the mouth and then removed for curing or a filling that is manufactured outside of the mouth and cured. This allows for stronger curing and a more sturdy composite filling. Once the filling is cured, it is bonded to your natural tooth.

Why Choose Composite?

While composite fillings are usually more expensive than silver amalgam fillings, they offer a better esthetic than the metal fillings. They can also act more like a natural tooth, helping to avoid fractures due to uneven stress when biting.

Contact our office today to make an appointment or to ask your questions about tooth-colored composite fillings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do tooth-colored fillings look natural?

Yes. Unlike amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings are a custom-mixed resin composite. The composite mixture is matched to your tooth color and bonded directly to the tooth. This usually results in a filling that is nearly indistinguishable from your natural tooth.

Are composite fillings better than silver amalgam fillings?

Composite fillings bond directly to your tooth, which results in less healthy tooth removal. Amalgam fillings require additional drilling to provide anchors for the solid amalgam. Composite fillings are not as hard and inflexible as amalgam fillings, which means stresses caused from biting and chewing can be distributed more naturally and reduce the risk of your tooth cracking.

Does my insurance cover tooth-colored composite fillings?

Most insurance companies will cover composite fillings up to the cost of a silver amalgam filling. You may be responsible for the difference in cost between the more expensive composite filling and the amalgam filling. Our office will happily review your insurance coverage and discuss your financial options with you.

Meet Our Doctor:

Tyler Rumple DDS

“I love my job as a dentist because I have the privilege of developing long-lasting relationships with my patients and creating beautiful, healthy smiles.”

Dr. Tyler Rumple received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pacific Lutheran University then attended the University of Washington, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.

As a native of Smokey Point, Dr. Rumple has strong ties to the community. He attended Lakewood High School and received a full-tuition scholarship for dental school from the US Navy. After earning his dental degree, Dr. Rumple served ...