Tooth-Colored (Composite) Fillings
Natural-looking cavity repair that preserves your child's smile.
When cavities happen, we're here to fix them with beautiful, durable tooth-colored fillings. Made from composite resin that matches your child's natural tooth color, these fillings repair decay while keeping smiles looking bright and healthy.
Unlike old-fashioned silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings blend seamlessly with your child's smile—no one will even know they're there!
Why Choose Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Natural Appearance
Composite fillings are color-matched to your child's teeth, so they blend in perfectly. Your child can smile, laugh, and talk with confidence—no visible silver spots!
Bond Directly to Tooth
Composite material bonds chemically to tooth enamel, creating a strong, integrated restoration. This bonding actually strengthens the tooth and requires less drilling than silver fillings.
Mercury-Free & Safe
Our composite fillings are made from BPA-free resin materials—no mercury, no metal. They're completely safe for children and have been used successfully for decades.
Composite vs. Silver Fillings
While silver amalgam fillings have been used for over 100 years, modern composite fillings offer significant advantages for children:
Benefits of Composite Fillings
- Aesthetically pleasing - Match natural tooth color
- Less drilling required - Preserve more healthy tooth structure
- Stronger bond - Chemically adheres to tooth
- No metal sensitivity - Safe for all children
- Less temperature sensitivity - More comfortable after placement
- Versatile - Can also repair chipped or broken teeth
At Little Smiles, we exclusively use tooth-colored composite fillings because they offer the best combination of aesthetics, strength, and safety for children.
Quick Facts
- Painless: We numb the area completely
- Quick: Most fillings take 30-45 minutes
- Durable: Last 5-10 years or longer
- Same-day: Usually completed in one visit
- Safe: BPA-free, FDA-approved materials
- Covered: By most dental insurance plans
Anxious child? We offer sedation options to keep them comfortable.
The Filling Process: What to Expect
Numbing & Comfort
We apply a gentle numbing gel first, then use local anesthesia to ensure your child feels no discomfort. The entire area will be completely numb before we begin any work.
Remove the Decay
Using gentle techniques and precise instruments, we carefully remove only the decayed portion of the tooth. Because composite bonds to the tooth, we preserve more healthy tooth structure than with silver fillings.
Prepare & Bond
The tooth is prepared with a special bonding solution that helps the composite material stick securely. This creates a strong, lasting bond between the filling and the natural tooth.
Place & Shape the Filling
The tooth-colored composite resin is applied in layers. We carefully sculpt and shape it to match the natural contours of your child's tooth, ensuring a perfect fit and comfortable bite.
Cure & Polish
We use a special blue curing light to harden the filling material in seconds. Then we polish the filling to a smooth, natural-looking finish. Done! Your child's tooth is fully restored.
Total time: 30-45 minutes per tooth • Your child can eat as soon as the numbness wears off!
When Are Fillings Needed?
We use tooth-colored fillings to treat various dental issues in children:
Cavities
Small to medium-sized cavities in both baby teeth and permanent teeth. Early detection during regular checkups allows us to treat them when they're small.
Chipped or Broken Teeth
Composite resin can beautifully restore teeth damaged by falls, sports injuries, or biting hard objects. The filling rebuilds the tooth's natural shape.
Worn Teeth
Teeth worn down from grinding or acid erosion can be restored with composite fillings, protecting them from further damage.
When Fillings Aren't Enough
If a cavity is too large or a tooth is severely damaged, a filling may not provide adequate support. In these cases, we may recommend a dental crown to fully restore and protect the tooth.
Common Questions About Tooth-Colored Fillings
Do composite fillings last as long as silver?
Yes! Modern composite fillings are highly durable and typically last 5-10 years or longer with proper care. They bond directly to the tooth, making them very strong. With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, they're just as long-lasting as silver fillings.
Will my child feel pain?
No. We use local anesthesia to completely numb the area. Your child won't feel any pain during the procedure. For anxious children, we offer sedation options including nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") and IV sedation.
Can fillings be done on baby teeth?
Absolutely! It's important to treat cavities in baby teeth to prevent pain, infection, and to preserve space for permanent teeth. Composite fillings are ideal because they look natural and keep your child's smile bright.
Repair Cavities with Natural-Looking Fillings
Don't let cavities compromise your child's smile. Our tooth-colored fillings restore teeth to full health and beauty—quickly, comfortably, and effectively.