Many patients no longer want silver amalgam fillings as they can be unsightly and if they are large, much of the original tooth will have been removed, and the tooth may be weak.

Dentistry has increasingly turned to composite fillings as a strong, safe and more natural looking alternative to silver amalgam fillings. Composite fillings are a soft white plastic substance composed mainly of glass particles, synthetic resin and a setting agent. They are white in colour and come in various shades so they can be as closely matched as possible to the patient’s natural tooth colour. It is usually best to change fillings only when your dentist decides that an old filling needs replacing. If so you can ask to have it replaced in a tooth-coloured material.

During a filling appointment the dentist begins by removing the old filling, if there is one, and any decay from the tooth. Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist places the composite material into the cavity. The process is typically performed in several layers wherein each layer is cured or hardened with the use of a special light.

Patients may have increased sensitivity in the tooth for several weeks following the procedure. Unlike veneers, composite fillings are porous. Over time, they may become stained from coffee, tea, tobacco, etc. Many dentists place a clear covering over the filling to avoid any future staining. Composite fillings will typically last three to twelve years depending on the location of the restoration and the individual's occlusion (or bite).