Restorative Dentistry
Dental Fillings in Fullerton, CA
Tooth-colored fillings that match your smile.
If you grew up with metal fillings, you might be surprised at how far dental materials have come.
Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are a durable mix of tooth-colored glass particles and dental resin. They bond directly to your natural enamel, giving the tooth structural support while matching its natural shade. Because the filling bonds to the tooth, less of your natural tooth needs to be removed when the cavity is prepared. That is why we generally recommend composite restorations. They suit visible front teeth and noticeable side areas, where a silver filling would show when you laugh or smile.
Why Composite?
The reasons we generally recommend tooth-colored fillings.
- Natural Shade Composite resin is shaded to match the surrounding teeth.
- Bonds to Enamel The filling bonds directly to your natural enamel for structural support.
- Less Drilling Bonding means less natural tooth is removed during cavity preparation.
Composite and Amalgam Compared
Amalgam (silver) fillings are made from silver, tin, copper and mercury, and have been used for over a century for their strength. Modern composites offer comparable durability while preserving more of your natural tooth, without the dark silver spots.
At Your Filling Appointment
- The cavity is found and explained to you
- Decay is removed, keeping as much tooth as possible
- A shade is matched to your tooth
- The composite is bonded and shaped to your bite
Larger Repairs
When a cavity is too large for a filling, a crown may be the better option. See the full list of services.
The short answer
Composite fillings are a durable mix of tooth-colored glass particles and dental resin that bond directly to your natural enamel, supporting the tooth while matching its shade. Because the filling bonds to the tooth, less of the natural tooth needs to be removed when a cavity is prepared. Modern composite resins offer durability comparable to silver amalgam, without the dark silver spots that show when you laugh or smile.
Dental Fillings FAQ
- What are composite fillings made of?
- Composite fillings are a durable mix of tooth-colored glass particles and dental resin. They bond directly to your natural enamel. The resin is shaded to match your tooth.
- Why do you recommend composite over silver fillings?
- Composite fillings match your natural tooth shade and bond directly to the enamel. They also need less of your natural tooth removed during preparation. Silver fillings leave dark spots that show when you laugh or smile.
- Are composite fillings durable?
- Modern composite resins offer durability comparable to silver amalgam. They do this while preserving more of your natural tooth structure. We will talk through the right option for each tooth.
- Do you still place amalgam fillings?
- We generally recommend composite restorations. Amalgam is known for its strength and has been used for over a century. If you have questions about an existing filling, ask at your visit.
Insurance & Financing
Benefits and participation vary by plan. Please contact our office so we can help you verify your coverage and understand your options before treatment.
CareCredit and Cherry are available. Terms and approval are set by each provider.