Are tooth-colored fillings as strong as silver fillings?

Modern composite resins have improved dramatically in strength and wear resistance. For most cavities, composite is fully adequate. For very large cavities in back molars, an inlay, onlay, or crown may be recommended for superior long-term durability.

Is there any mercury in composite fillings?

No. Composite resin fillings contain no mercury. They are made from a mixture of glass or quartz filler and acrylic resin — completely inert once cured.

How long does the procedure take?

A single small-to-medium composite filling typically takes 30–60 minutes including anesthesia. Multiple fillings can often be done in the same appointment. You can eat and drink normally once the anesthesia wears off (typically 2–3 hours), but avoid very hard or sticky foods for 24 hours while the composite fully cures.

Will my insurance cover tooth-colored fillings?

Most dental insurance plans cover composite fillings for front teeth at the full composite rate. For back teeth, some older plans cover composite at the amalgam rate (a lower benefit), leaving you to pay a small difference. We'll verify your benefits before treatment so you know exactly what to expect.

Restorative Dentistry

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Natural-looking composite resin restorations that blend seamlessly with your smile.

Tooth-colored composite resin fillings are the modern standard of care — strong, mercury-free, and virtually invisible. We use composite for all new fillings at Magnolia Family Dentistry, and we also help patients replace old silver (amalgam) fillings they find aesthetically displeasing.

Composite vs. Silver Amalgam

Traditional silver fillings (amalgam) are 50% mercury by weight — a substance many patients are understandably concerned about. Beyond the health question, amalgam requires more aggressive tooth preparation (removing more healthy tooth structure), expands and contracts with temperature changes causing micro-fractures over time, and is cosmetically obvious. Composite resin bonds directly to tooth structure, requires less removal of healthy enamel, and matches your natural tooth color precisely.

The Filling Process

Local anesthesia to ensure complete comfort
Decay removal with a dental handpiece — only the affected tooth structure is removed
Acid etching and bonding agent application to prepare the tooth surface
Composite resin applied in thin layers, each cured with a blue UV light
Final shaping and polishing — adjusted for your bite and contoured to look natural
You leave with a restored tooth and a natural-looking result

Replacing Old Amalgam Fillings

Many patients come to us wanting to replace old silver fillings for cosmetic reasons or health concerns. We approach this methodically — if your existing amalgam fillings are intact and not causing problems, we may recommend monitoring rather than immediate replacement to avoid unnecessary removal of healthy tooth structure. If a filling is old, cracked, or leaking, replacement is clearly indicated. We'll give you our honest assessment.

How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?

Modern composite resins are significantly stronger than older formulations. With proper oral hygiene and regular professional care, tooth-colored fillings typically last 7–10 years. Larger fillings in back teeth that bear heavy chewing forces may wear more quickly. Avoiding hard foods, night grinding, and maintaining six-month cleanings all extend filling longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fix That Cavity — Beautifully

Schedule your appointment at Magnolia Family Dentistry. We'll restore your tooth with a natural-looking composite filling you'll forget is even there.

Request Appointment (512) 441-2098