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. Your Sioux Falls dentist can also use this material to reshape chipped teeth or fill small gaps between teeth, giving you a more even, appealing smile.

What Is a Tooth-Colored Dental Filling?

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

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

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 applied in layers with curing between each layer. Once built up, the filling will be further shaped and polished.

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

Advanced tooth decay may require a dental crown instead of a filling. We offer same-day dental crowns in Sioux Falls, SD. 

Why Choose Tooth-Colored Fillings?

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

Using composite fillings, our cosmetic dentist can conceal tooth flaws, including: 

• Chips and cracks
• Discoloration and stains
• Small gaps between teeth

We can also replace older fillings with tooth-colored versions. Dental bonding and filling replacements are excellent examples of inexpensive cosmetic dentistry in Sioux Falls!

Contact Our Sioux Falls Dental Office Today

Contact our office today to make an appointment or if you have questions about tooth-colored composite fillings and dental bonding. 

We accept CareCredit financing.