Tooth-Colored Fillings in Ladson, SC
Composite fillings repair decay and match the tooth, so a filling in a back molar does not show when you laugh.
Composite vs amalgam
Why we use composite
Composite resin is a tooth-coloured material that bonds directly to the tooth structure. Traditional amalgam is a silver-coloured metal alloy that is packed into a cavity and held by shape rather than adhesion.
The appearance difference is obvious, but the more useful distinction is how much tooth has to be removed. Amalgam requires the cavity to be cut into a shape that mechanically retains the filling, which often means removing healthy tooth structure. Composite bonds, so the preparation can be limited to the decay itself.
Composite also seals the margin, which reduces the chance of bacteria working their way back in underneath. That said, it is technique-sensitive and takes longer to place properly, because the field has to stay dry while it is bonded.
The appointment
What getting a filling involves
Numbing
Local anaesthetic for the tooth and surrounding area. Very small or very shallow cavities sometimes do not need it.
Removing decay
The decayed tissue is removed, leaving healthy structure behind. Only what needs to go, goes.
Placing composite
The resin is applied in layers, each hardened with a curing light, and shaded to match the surrounding tooth.
Shaping and bite check
The filling is shaped to the tooth's natural contour and adjusted until your bite meets evenly.
Beyond appearance
The argument for composite is structural, not cosmetic
The visible difference between a white filling and a silver one is obvious, and it is the reason most people ask. The more useful difference is how much tooth has to be removed to place one.
Amalgam has no adhesive properties. It stays in place because the cavity is cut into a shape that mechanically locks it in, which frequently means removing healthy tooth structure that was doing nothing wrong, purely to create undercuts. Composite bonds chemically to the tooth, so the preparation can be limited to the decay itself.
That matters over a lifetime. Every restoration a tooth receives removes a little more structure, and each one weakens it slightly. A tooth that keeps more of itself at the first filling has more left when the second one is eventually needed, and is less likely to reach the point where it needs a crown or fractures outright.
Where composite is not the answer
When a cavity is large enough that little sound tooth remains, no filling of any material is the right treatment. The tooth needs something that surrounds and holds it rather than sits inside it. Dr. Mathew will tell you when a filling is being asked to do a crown's job, because placing one anyway is how teeth end up splitting.
Should you replace old amalgams?
Not automatically. A silver filling that is sealed, intact and causing no problems is usually best left alone, because replacing it means removing more tooth. Replacement makes sense when it is cracked or leaking, when decay has formed underneath, or when you specifically want the appearance changed and understand the trade-off.
Common questions
Questions we hear most
How long do composite fillings last?
Commonly seven to ten years or more, depending on size, location and your habits. A small filling on a smooth surface lasts far longer than a large one on a molar taking full chewing force. Grinding shortens the life of any filling.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Not automatically. An amalgam filling that is sealed, intact and not causing problems is usually best left alone, because replacing it means removing more tooth structure. Replacement is worth considering when the filling is cracked, leaking, decay has formed underneath, or you specifically want the appearance changed.
Are composite fillings as strong as amalgam?
Modern composites are strong enough for most situations, including molars. For very large cavities where much of the tooth is gone, a crown or onlay may be more appropriate than any filling, simply because there is not enough tooth left to support one.
Will my tooth be sensitive afterwards?
Some sensitivity to cold for a few days to a couple of weeks is normal, particularly with deeper fillings. If it persists beyond that, worsens, or you get pain on biting, call us, because it may mean the bite needs adjusting or the nerve is inflamed.
Does insurance cover composite fillings?
Most plans cover them, though some reimburse only at the amalgam rate for back teeth and leave you the difference. We will check your specific plan and tell you the figure before we start.
How soon can I eat?
With composite, immediately, because it is fully hardened by the curing light before you leave. Wait until the numbness wears off though, since it is very easy to bite your cheek or tongue without realising.
Ready when you are
Book a cosmetic consultation
Bring a photo of a smile you like. It tells us more than a description ever does.