Tooth-Colored Fillings

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, are a natural-looking alternative to traditional metal fillings. Made from a durable composite resin, these restorations are designed to match the exact shade of your teeth, allowing them to blend in seamlessly with your smile. In addition to their cosmetic appeal, tooth-colored fillings bond directly to the tooth structure to support the remaining enamel.

Tooth-Colored vs. Metal Fillings

Patients often prefer tooth-colored fillings to their traditional metal counterparts. Especially when placed by a skilled dentist, composite fillings offer a wide range of functional and aesthetic benefits, such as:

• A beautiful, lifelike appearance
• Metal- and mercury-free composition for greater peace of mind
• Durable, tooth-supporting bond that helps reinforce the remaining structure
• More conservative treatment that often requires less drilling than metal fillings
• Greater stability (as composite doesn’t expand or contract with temperature changes like metal can)

At Newport Beach Dental, we prioritize both your health and your smile’s appearance, which is why we use metal-free fillings as a modern alternative.

What Does the Tooth-Colored Filling Procedure Involve?

Getting a tooth-colored filling is typically a quick and comfortable process that can usually be completed in a single visit. Our Newport Beach dentists take great care to ensure your experience is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Here’s what you can generally expect during the procedure:

1. Numbing the area: To keep you comfortable, we can use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth.
2. Removing the decay: The decayed or damaged portion of the tooth is gently removed using specialized dental instruments.
3. Cleaning and preparing the tooth: Once the decay is cleared, the area is thoroughly cleaned and shaped to help the filling bond securely.
4. Placing the composite material: The tooth-colored composite resin is applied in layers. Each layer is carefully shaped and hardened using a special curing light.
5. Shaping and polishing: After the final layer is in place, the filling is shaped to match your smile and polished to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth.

Most patients are able to return to their normal routine right after the appointment, with minimal to no discomfort.*

Remember: tooth decay can develop for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common causes is poor oral hygiene. Regular dental cleanings and professional exams are key to preventing cavities before they start or catching them early on.

If you think you may have a cavity, contact Newport Beach Dental today. Our friendly team can use tooth-colored fillings to help you maintain a strong, healthy, and beautiful smile!

Medical Resources*

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