Tooth Colored Fillings

Tooth colored fillings are done with the same material as the bonding procedure. People refer to bonding when it is in the front of the mouth. Fillings are done on molars in the back of the mouth.

Composite fillings are used to replace silver fillings. Over time the silver fillings will expand and cause cracking of the tooth, or it will begin to leak and let in bacteria, which will cause the tooth to discolor or decay. Composite is a great material to replace these failing fillings with because it will actually bond to the tooth structure whereas the silver does not.

The advantage of bonding to the tooth is that it makes the filling stronger, and if part of it should break or discolor in the future, the entire filling does not need to be replaced, the material can bond to itself. These fillings are done in one appointment. If they are used to replace silver filling, it will act to lighten up the entire tooth.