Tooth-Colored Fillings in Murrieta

What is a composite filling?

A composite filling is a tooth-colored material that your dentist shapes right inside the cavity. Cleveland Clinic describes it as a resin base mixed with powdered quartz, silica or glass.

The ADA’s MouthHealthy site says composites provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small to mid-size fillings, and they can be used on front or back teeth. They’re a good choice if you want your fillings to look natural.

Composite is one of several filling materials. Others include silver amalgam, glass ionomer, gold and porcelain. Gold and porcelain fillings are made in a lab and placed at a later visit, while composite goes in directly.

Composite fillings have long been part of the care at our Murrieta office, for kids and adults alike.

What are the signs of a cavity?

Early cavities often cause no symptoms at all, which is why regular cleanings and exams matter. NIDCR notes that early tooth decay usually has no symptoms, and a cavity can be growing before you feel anything.

As decay moves deeper, these signs become more common. Keep in mind that sensitivity doesn’t always mean a cavity, as Cleveland Clinic points out. Our pages on sensitive teeth and toothache explain other common causes.

• A small white, chalky spot on the enamel, often the earliest visible sign
• White, brown or black staining on a tooth
• Sensitivity to sweets, heat or cold
• A toothache or mouth pain
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• A visible hole or pit in a tooth

What happens during a filling?

A tooth-colored filling is usually placed in a single visit. Cleveland Clinic outlines the typical steps, from numbing to a final bite check.

Composite takes a little longer to place than a metal filling, because the tooth has to stay clean and dry while the material goes in, according to MouthHealthy.

If the numbing or the sound of the drill makes you anxious, tell us before we start. You can ask our team about nitrous oxide, and our dental anxiety and comfort page has practical ideas.

Composite vs. amalgam: which filling is better?

Neither is right for every tooth. The choice depends on where the cavity is, how big it is, your health, your insurance and how you want the tooth to look. Your dentist will help you weigh the options.

Composite matches your tooth color and works well for small to mid-size fillings in front or back teeth. MouthHealthy notes it takes longer to place, costs more than amalgam and, in some studies, needs replacing more often.

Amalgam is a silver-colored mix of metals that includes mercury, silver, tin and copper. MouthHealthy calls it durable and long-lasting, less expensive than composite and often chosen for large cavities in back teeth, where chewing forces are strongest.

What about the mercury? The ADA says amalgam remains a safe and effective option, and the FDA says studies don’t show conclusive evidence that amalgam causes harmful health effects in the general population. Since 2020, though, the FDA has recommended that some higher-risk people avoid new amalgam fillings when possible and appropriate: people who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, nursing mothers, young children (especially under 6), people with a mercury allergy, and people with certain neurological or kidney conditions.

If you already have silver fillings in good condition, the FDA and the ADA both say they don’t need to be removed. The FDA explains that taking out a healthy amalgam filling can mean losing healthy tooth structure and a brief increase in mercury vapor. Ask our team which material fits your tooth and your health.

How do I take care of a new filling?

Wait until the numbness wears off before you eat, so you don’t bite your cheek or tongue. Cleveland Clinic notes that you can technically eat right after a filling, but chewing slowly helps.

Mild sensitivity and gum soreness near the new filling are normal and usually fade within a week or two. Call us if your bite feels high or it hurts to bite down; that can mean the filling needs a small adjustment, and your dentist can reshape it.

A throbbing toothache, or pain from heat or cold that lingers, can mean the decay reached the nerve. In that case, root canal treatment may be needed. For a broken filling or sudden pain, see emergency dental care.

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth every day.
• Limit sugary drinks and snacks, which feed the bacteria that cause decay.
• Keep up regular checkups. NIDCR notes that fillings don’t last a lifetime and may need to be replaced, so your dentist checks them at each visit.

Do kids get tooth-colored fillings?

Yes, children can get tooth-colored fillings, and cavities in kids are common. CDC reports that half of children ages 6 to 9 have had at least one cavity in their baby or permanent teeth.

Baby teeth matter. CDC notes that cavities in children may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning. If your child needs a filling, ask our team about tooth-colored options. The FDA recommends that young children, especially those under 6, avoid amalgam when possible and appropriate.

Prevention comes first. CDC says fluoride varnish reduces cavities in baby teeth by one-third, and sealants on the back teeth prevent 80% of cavities. Our office offers fluoride, sealants and dietary counseling for kids, and parents are welcome to stay with their child during visits. For a nervous child, ask our team about nitrous oxide.

Learn more about children’s dentistry at our office.

When is a crown better than a filling?

A crown is usually the better choice when there isn’t enough healthy tooth left to hold a filling. The ADA’s MouthHealthy site says a crown can strengthen a tooth with a large filling when not enough of the tooth remains.

Dentists also recommend crowns to strengthen a weak tooth, protect a cracked tooth, restore a worn-down or broken tooth, or cover a tooth after root canal treatment, according to Cleveland Clinic. That’s why a dentist may suggest a crown instead of another, larger filling.

There is a middle ground. Inlays and onlays are lab-made pieces for a tooth that is too damaged for a filling but healthy enough that it doesn’t need a full crown. If decay reaches the nerve, a filling alone won’t fix it.

Learn more on our dental crowns page.

Questions & answers

Common questions