Tooth-Coloured Fillings
A cavity does not need to leave a visible mark on your smile. Tooth-coloured fillings repair decayed, chipped or worn teeth with a material that blends in with your natural tooth. At Edgemont Dental in Southwest Edmonton, we treat cavities early and gently, so you can get back to your day.
What Are Tooth-Coloured Fillings?
Tooth-coloured fillings, also known as white or composite fillings, are made from resin and glass particles shaded to match your natural teeth. After your dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth, the filling is placed and shaped to restore its form and function. The result is a repair that looks natural and helps protect the remaining tooth structure. Tooth-coloured composite is our standard for all new fillings.
Benefits of Tooth-Coloured Fillings
Natural appearance: The filling is shade matched, so it blends with your smile.
Conservative repair: Tooth-coloured material bonds to the tooth, which often means less of your healthy tooth needs to be removed than with silver fillings.
Mercury-free: Composite fillings contain no mercury.
Versatile: Fillings can repair cavities, chipped teeth and worn edges.
Quick treatment: Most fillings are completed in a single visit.
Signs You May Need a Filling
- Tooth pain or sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods
- A visible hole, pit or dark spot on a tooth
- Food catching in a particular spot
- A rough or chipped edge on a tooth
- A filling that has become loose, cracked or worn
Cavities do not always cause symptoms, which is why regular checkups and x-rays are important for catching decay early.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
Numbing: Your tooth and the area around it are numbed so you stay comfortable.
Removing decay: Only the decayed or damaged part of the tooth is carefully removed.
Shade matching: We select the shade that best matches your natural tooth.
Placing the filling: The resin is placed in layers, shaped and hardened with a special light.
Final check: We check your bite and polish the filling for a smooth finish.
If dental visits make you nervous, we offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation. Please mention any anxiety when you book.
Before Your Visit
- Tell us which tooth is bothering you and what makes it worse, such as cold, heat or biting.
- Let us know about any allergies or medications.
- Plan your meal timing, as your mouth will be numb for a couple of hours afterward.
After Your Treatment
- Your mouth may feel numb for a couple of hours, so take care when eating and drinking hot items, and avoid biting your cheek or tongue.
- Some cold or bite sensitivity for a few days is normal and usually settles on its own.
- Brush twice a day, floss daily and keep up with regular checkups.
- Call us if sensitivity lasts beyond a week, or if your bite feels high or uneven.
Replacing Old Fillings
Older fillings can wear down, crack or leak over time. If you have a filling that looks worn, feels rough or is causing pain, have it checked. Your dentist assesses each filling and can tell you whether it should be repaired or replaced, including old silver (amalgam) fillings. Small chips in a composite filling can often be repaired without replacing the whole filling.
Why Choose Edgemont Dental for Fillings
- Digital x-rays help us find decay early
- Clear explanations and a treatment plan and cost estimate before treatment begins
- Direct billing to most major insurance providers
- Evening appointments Monday to Thursday and Saturday appointments on alternating weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tooth-coloured fillings last?
With good oral care and regular checkups, they can last for many years. How long a filling lasts depends on its size, location and your habits, such as grinding your teeth.
Does getting a filling hurt?
The area is numbed, so you should not feel pain during treatment. Some sensitivity afterward is possible but usually settles down.
How long does a filling take?
Most fillings are completed in a single appointment. Your dentist can tell you what to expect for your tooth.
Is my child able to get fillings too?
Yes. We offer fillings and cavity care for kids. Visit our children's fillings page for more information.
Can you replace my old silver fillings?
Yes. Your dentist assesses each old filling and can replace it with a tooth-coloured, mercury-free filling when it shows wear, cracking or leakage.
Book a Filling in Edmonton
Call (780) 761-7070 or book online. You will find us at 20036 Lessard Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6M 0T9.