We can match composite resin to your natural tooth color, giving you a seamless look. No one will know you have a filling!

We Warmly Welcome New Patients to Our Practice

Fillings

For some, the appearance of standard silver amalgam fillings is unattractive. They are noticeable when you smile and can cause your teeth to appear discolored.

If you need a filling but don’t want it to be visible, tooth-colored composite fillings are the perfect solution. We can also use composite filling material to restore chipped teeth or fill small gaps between teeth to give you a more even, appealing smile.

What Is a Composite Filling?

Composite fillings are a mixture of resins, glass particles, and colorants that impart a translucent appearance similar to tooth enamel. The composite is applied to the tooth in layers and hardened using ultraviolet light. Unlike silver amalgam fillings, composites placed by your dentist match the color of your natural teeth and provide a seamless tooth repair.

Since the composite bonds directly to your tooth, these fillings require less removal of the healthy tooth, which leaves more remaining tooth structure intact. Composite fillings are also less prone to cracking and chipping than amalgam fillings due to temperature changes in your mouth.

How Is a Composite Filling Placed?

To place a composite filling, the dentist numbs the area if necessary and removes any decay. The remaining tooth structure is then etched to create a rough surface to which the composite can bond.

Our dentist will match the shade of your natural tooth and mix a composite that they apply and harden in layers. Once built up, the filling will be shaped to accommodate your dental bite and look natural. The final step is to polish the filling, so it blends in perfectly.

We may use a semi-direct or indirect filling for areas needing larger repairs. This process involves a composite built up inside the mouth and then removed for curing or a filling manufactured outside of the mouth and cured. This allows for stronger curing and a more sturdy composite filling. Once the composite material is cured, it is bonded to your natural tooth.

Why Choose Composite?

While tooth-colored fillings are usually more expensive than silver amalgam fillings, they offer a better aesthetic than metal fillings. The filling material also acts more like a natural tooth, helping to avoid fractures due to uneven stress when biting.

Contact our office today to make an appointment so we can answer all your questions about tooth-colored composite fillings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't a regular cleaning help me if a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing procedure) was recommended?

If your dentist recommends scaling and root planing (SRP), it means you have symptoms of gum disease or periodontal disease. Dental deep cleaning is necessary to stop the damaging effects of this disease.
We all have tiny, open spaces between our teeth and gums, which dentists call a sulcus. Bacteria, plaque, and calculus can build up in these areas over time and become problematic if not removed through brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings. When this happens, the gums become swollen, the spaces get deeper, and bacteria make their way further and further down into the gums. A healthy sulcus is less than 3 mm deep, while greater depth suggests a problem. Your dentist will check the depth of the area using a special probe.
When bacteria create an infection in the gums, it’s called gingivitis. If it isn’t severe, regular dental cleaning and more rigorous dental hygiene can correct it. If the bacteria reach deep into the gums, an infection can damage the underlying structures, like the tooth root, attached ligaments, and the bone. This is periodontal disease, and it can cause tooth loss and other health problems if it’s not addressed.

Meet Our Dentist:

Dr. Elyce Millery DDS

Dr. Millery grew up in Rockville, Maryland, and received her bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Maryland College Park. She worked as a dental assistant before attending dental school. After earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, she relocated to Hanover, Maryland, with her husband and decided to open a private practice in 2018.

In addition to her formal education, Dr. Millery continues to study dentistry. She actively pursues at least 50 hours annually of continuing education in numerous topics, ...