Tooth-Coloured Fillings

A tooth-coloured filling — also called a composite resin filling or glass ionomer cement— is a dental material used to repair a tooth damaged by decay, a small crack, or a chip. It is matched to the shade of your natural tooth so that it blends in almost invisibly. Unlike silver amalgam fillings, composite fillings bond directly to the tooth structure, which means we can usually preserve more of your natural tooth.

Why choose tooth-coloured fillings over silver (amalgam) fillings?

Tooth-coloured fillings offer several advantages: they are aesthetically far superior, they bond to the tooth and they require less removal of healthy tooth structure during preparation.

At Kin Dental, Centre we use tooth-coloured composite and Glass ionomer cement as our standard filling material.

What happens during the filling appointment?

How do I look after a new filling?

  1. Your bite may feel slightly different immediately after the filling — this usually settles within a day or two as the composite is shaped to your natural biting pattern.
  2. Avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks for the first 24 hours if the tooth is sensitive.
  3. Wait for the anaesthetic to wear off before eating to avoid accidentally biting your cheek.
  4. Continue brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly.
  5. Avoid biting very hard objects such as ice or pen lids, which can chip composite resin.

Does getting a filling hurt?

Some patients choose not to numb the area before doing any filling . For small cavities, there should not be any pain. However, if the cavity go deeper, some sensitivity may be felt.

Hence , we always offer the option to numb the area with local anaesthetic before starting, so you should not feel any pain during the procedure — just some pressure and vibration. After the anaesthetic wears off, the tooth may feel a little sensitive for a day or two, which is completely normal. If sensitivity persists beyond a week or feels severe, please give us a call.

Can I replace my old silver fillings with tooth-coloured ones?

Yes, this is possible. However, we would only recommend replacing an existing amalgam filling if it is worn, cracked, leaking, or causing problems — not simply for cosmetic reasons. Removing a sound filling unnecessarily involves drilling away more tooth structure than is ideal. We will give you an honest assessment of whether replacement is worthwhile for your specific fillings.

How Long Do Tooth-Coloured Fillings Last?