Offered at our Houston Office

Long gone are the days of silver fillings. At District Dental we use composite or tooth colored restorative material that is bonded to your teeth. Composite fillings blend in with your natural tooth structure, so no one even knows they are there.

What causes the need for composite fillings?

If your teeth are decayed or broken, receiving a filling may be the best option to repair your tooth and prevent further damage to your smile. Fillings are one of the most common dental procedures performed at District Dental and are an inexpensive way to maintain the life of your teeth.

What is a composite filling and how is it different than a traditional metal filling?

In years past only silver-toned, metal amalgam fillings were available to fill teeth. These metal fillings not only looked unnatural but they could also cause other dental problems for patients.

Traditional metal fillings were less expensive, but over time they could give teeth a grayish appearance. This graying causes teeth to appear damaged when they are not and can be aesthetically unpleasing to patients. Additionally, the metals used in fillings were much more rigid than the dentin naturally found in teeth, therefore the rigidity of metal fillings could lead to additional decay and damage to the remaining, natural parts of the teeth.

Tooth-colored fillings are made from composite resin of acrylic plastics. These fillings will not cause your teeth to discolor or gray. Tooth-colored fillings are designed to mimic the natural dentin found within your teeth and therefore have a better bonding property to the tooth surface and offer better insulation during temperature changes.

Are there any risks associated with receiving a composite filling?

Unlike metal fillings, composite fillings are relatively risk free. Metal amalgam fillings can discolor teeth and lead to unusual sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks. It is important to note that with composite filings, less of your existing tooth structure must be removed prior to the procedure and you should be able to chew almost immediately.

What will my teeth look like after receiving a composite filling?

Composite fillings are created to match the tone and color of your existing teeth. Therefore you will only feel relief from your decayed or damaged tooth, and only see a solid colored tooth that looks as natural as it did prior to your procedure.

Call District Dental today to discover if composite fillings are right for you.