Tooth-colored composite fillings that blend with your natural smile
Resin composite fillings — also called tooth-colored or porcelain fillings — restore decayed teeth without the appearance of metal. The material is made of microscopic glass or porcelain particles embedded in an acrylic matrix, providing strength while matching the natural color of your tooth.
- Glass particles make up 60–80% of the material for durability
- Light-cured acrylic lets Dr. Patel shape the filling before hardening
- Color-stable — won’t yellow or darken with age
Strong enough for back teeth, natural enough for front ones
Composite resin has strong shear strength, making it suitable for large biting surfaces — including back teeth where chewing forces are greatest. Newer posterior composites are competitive with traditional amalgam for back teeth restorations.
Unlike silver amalgam fillings, composite resin bonds directly to the tooth structure, requiring less removal of healthy tooth to place. The material is shaped while soft and hardened in seconds with a curing light, allowing for precise placement in a single appointment.
Composite fillings — your questions answered
What they’re made of, how long they last, and what to expect.
Composite fillings — also called tooth-colored or resin fillings — are made of microscopic glass or porcelain particles embedded in an acrylic matrix. Glass particles make up 60–80% of the material for strength. The filling is placed while soft, shaped to match the tooth, then hardened with a curing light in a single visit.
Composite resin bonds directly to the tooth, requiring less removal of healthy structure than amalgam. It is color-stable — it won’t yellow or darken with age — and is metal- and mercury-free. Newer posterior composites have strong shear strength, making them competitive with amalgam even on back teeth where chewing forces are highest.
The average lifespan of a composite filling is five to seven years with proper care. Longevity depends on the location of the filling, bite forces in that area, and home care habits. Regular check-ups allow Dr. Patel to monitor fillings and catch any early wear before decay can re-enter the tooth.
The area is numbed with local anesthetic. Dr. Patel removes the decayed portion of the tooth, cleans the cavity, and places the composite resin in layers. Each layer is hardened with a curing light before the next is applied. The filling is then shaped and polished to match your bite. The entire procedure is completed in one appointment.
Yes. Existing amalgam fillings that are worn, cracked, or that you’d like replaced for cosmetic reasons can be removed and restored with tooth-colored composite. Dr. Patel will evaluate each filling at your check-up to determine whether replacement is clinically indicated or simply elective.
Need a filling? We'll match it to your tooth.
Book an appointment with Dr. Bhargav Patel today.
