General Dentistry

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Natural-looking, mercury-free composite fillings that repair decay and blend seamlessly with your smile.

When a tooth develops a cavity, a filling restores it before the decay can spread. We use tooth-colored composite fillings, which bond directly to the tooth and are matched to your natural shade so the repair is essentially invisible.

Composite fillings are mercury-free and conservative. Because the material bonds to the tooth, we can often remove less healthy structure than older silver amalgam fillings required, which helps keep the tooth strong. They also avoid the dark line that metal fillings can show over time.

Most fillings are completed comfortably in a single visit. We numb the area, gently remove the decay, place and shape the composite, and adjust your bite so the tooth feels natural when you leave.

If you have older amalgam fillings that are cracked, leaking, or simply showing their age, we can replace them with tooth-colored composite for a healthier, more natural result.

Benefits

  • Natural shade-matched result that blends with your smile
  • Mercury-free composite material
  • Conservative, bonds directly to the tooth
  • Usually completed in one comfortable visit
  • No dark metal line at the gumline

What to expect

A single, comfortable visit. We numb the tooth, remove the decay, place the filling, and fine-tune your bite. Most patients are back to normal eating the same day once any numbness wears off.

  1. 1

    Gently numb the area for comfort

  2. 2

    Remove decay and prepare the tooth

  3. 3

    Place and bond tooth-colored composite in layers

  4. 4

    Shape, polish, and adjust your bite

Is this right for you?

Anyone with a new cavity, a small chip, or older metal fillings they would like to update. If you are noticing sensitivity or a rough spot on a tooth, it is worth having us take a look.

Why choose Ray Nunnery, DDS

Conservative dentistry means preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible. Composite lets us do exactly that while delivering a result that looks like your own tooth.

Cost & insurance

Most plans cover composite fillings on front and many back teeth. We verify your coverage and review any cost with you in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Are tooth-colored fillings as strong as metal?

For the great majority of cavities, modern composite is strong, durable, and well bonded. For very large areas of damage, a crown or onlay may protect the tooth better, and we will tell you if that is the case.

Can I replace my old silver fillings?

Yes. If an amalgam filling is cracked, worn, or leaking, we can replace it with a tooth-colored composite for a healthier, more natural look.

Ready to schedule your visit?

New patients are always welcome. Request an appointment online or call our Walnut Creek office and our friendly team will take care of the rest.