Tooth-Coloured Fillings: What to Expect from Start to Finish
dentalhealth
A calm walkthrough of how a tooth-coloured filling is placed, how long it takes, and how to care for the tooth afterward.
A tooth-coloured filling repairs a small to medium cavity and blends with your natural tooth. Here's what the visit usually looks like.
Why tooth-coloured fillings
They are made of composite resin that bonds to the tooth, and the shade is matched to your teeth. Because they bond, we can often keep more of your natural tooth.
What happens at the visit
- Exam and X-rays: we confirm where the decay is.
- Numbing: the area is made comfortable first.
- Removing decay: the softened part of the tooth is gently cleaned out.
- Placing the filling: the material is added in layers and hardened with a special light.
- Shaping and bite check: we polish the filling and make sure your bite feels natural.
Afterward
Numbness fades within a few hours, so avoid chewing until it does. Mild sensitivity can occur for a short time. Our guide to calming sensitive teeth at home can help.
When a filling isn't enough
If a tooth has lost a lot of structure, a crown may be a better option. Learn about same-day CEREC crowns.
See our dental treatments or visit morganheightsdental.com to book.