Tooth-coloured fillings, either composite resin or porcelain, are aesthetic, mercury-free restorations that match your natural tooth colour perfectly. They bond directly to the tooth structure, saving as much of the original natural structure as possible. Tooth-coloured dental fillings also fix cavities, chips or gaps in your smile and are ideal for front and back teeth. Also known as tooth-coloured composite fillings, these dental restorations are designed to repair chipped teeth, decay, or minor tooth damage, with a virtually invisible result.
TEETH @ Tiong Bahru are here to help you with discreet, tooth-coloured fillings to keep your smile looking good and working right.
What are Tooth Coloured Fillings?
Tooth-coloured fillings are used to fill cavities after the dentist has removed all the decay, but they’re also suitable for fixing small chips, worn tooth edges or old amalgam fillings that have come loose. If you are wondering what tooth-coloured fillings are made of, they are crafted from composite material designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
What is the colour of a tooth filling? They vary depending on your teeth, as they’re designed to match the colour of your teeth and provide a natural appearance. Dentists do this by carefully selecting the right natural shade of filling material and often blending the colour to match. This is especially important for the front teeth, because colour and translucency are key to getting a good, natural-looking finish.
What are Tooth Coloured Fillings Made Of?
Tooth-coloured fillings are usually made of composite resin, a mixture of resin and fine glass particles. This combination is excellent because it is strong, can be shaped to fit your tooth structure, and requires removing as little of your healthy natural tooth as possible. Occasionally, a dentist will use glass ionomer (a different type of tooth-coloured material), especially near the gumline or for kids, because it releases fluoride. Generally speaking, composite resin is recommended for most adult dental fillings.
Why Patients Prefer Tooth-Coloured Fillings in Singapore
Tooth-coloured fillings are now the preferred option in Singapore because they’re good for your teeth and look good too. They bond to the tooth structure, which keeps the remaining structure safe, and, for a smallish cavity, can even prevent cracking. Your dentist will also be able to take less of your natural tooth structure to do the filling, which is a big plus for preserving the tooth’s strength.
Tooth-Coloured Fillings vs Silver Fillings: What’s the Difference
Silver amalgam, also called an amalgam filling or traditional metal filling, is a personal choice given its long history as a durable, affordable and practical material for dental fillings. However, they are heavy, have a striking appearance and usually require removing more of your tooth structure to get the job done. Tooth-coloured composite fillings, on the other hand, bond to the tooth structure, helping preserve it and restoring teeth effectively.
Tooth-coloured composite fillings can get a bit stained from coffee, tea, or red wine, and they don’t last quite as long as silver amalgam in extensive restorations or high-pressure restorations. The best filling material for the job depends on the size of the cavity, the bite and where the tooth is in your mouth.
When Do You Need a Tooth Coloured Filling
Most of the time, you need a tooth-coloured filling because you’ve got a cavity caused by tooth decay. When plaque acid weakens tooth enamel, it creates a cavity that brushing can’t fix and may require a filling. If you notice that you get a bit of tooth sensitivity, e.g., when something’s hot or cold, or that food is getting stuck between your teeth, a visit to the dentist might be necessary. You might also need a filling if your tooth feels a bit rough, has a small hole, or even hurts when you bite down.
Getting regular dental check-ups is key to spotting cavities before they cause significant problems and to prevent further decay. Tooth-coloured fillings can also be used to repair chipped teeth and fix:
- Minor chips or cracks
- Worn teeth edges (from grinding and tooth wear)
- Old fillings that have come out
- Small post-trauma fractures
- Medium-sized cavities in the decayed tooth
The Process: How Tooth Coloured Fillings Are Done
At TEETH @ Tiong Bahru, the dental filling procedure of tooth-coloured fillings starts with:
- Assessing and diagnosing the problem (including X-rays if needed)
- Using a local anaesthetic so you don’t feel any pain
- Gently removing decay from the decayed portion without removing too much of the original tooth structure
- Cleaning and preparing the tooth to remove bacteria
- Layering the composite material, matching it to the natural shade of your tooth
- Curing with a special light to make the composite resin from soft to solid
- Shaping and polishing the filling to give a smooth finish
The dental filling procedure takes roughly 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of fillings. You might get a bit of tooth sensitivity afterwards, especially to cold drinks or biting on food. This is normal and should resolve in a few days. If it gets worse or your bite feels off, you’ll need to go back in for an adjustment.
How Long Do Tooth-Coloured Fillings Last?
Most tooth coloured composite fillings last between 5 and 10 years, depending on a few things like:
- How hard do you bite and chew?
- Do you grind your teeth at all?
- How big was the cavity to start with?
- Do you look after your teeth with proper care (e.g. do you floss regularly)?
- What do you eat and drink (especially sweet foods, sugary snacks or acidic drinks)?
By getting regular dental check-ups, you can catch problems early so you don’t need a big, expensive repair later, like a root canal or a dental crown.Â
How Much Do Tooth-Coloured Fillings Cost in Singapore?
The price of a dental filling in Singapore will depend on a few factors – how big the cavity is, how much the decay has progressed and how big a job you’re looking at. At TEETH @ Tiong Bahru, we charge between $87.20 and $185.30 for a tooth-coloured filling. Our dentists will take a look at the tooth, explain what they need to do and walk you through your treatment options and the cost before starting.
Before you head in for a treatment, it’s worth checking your dental insurance to see what’s covered. Some Singaporean policies may cover routine care and basic dental fillings, but may restrict certain dental filling materials, such as ceramic fillings or gold fillings. You may also have an annual cap on how much you can claim, or the number of tooth fillings covered. Check your policy before you go to make sure you know what you can and can’t claim to avoid any surprises.
Keeping on top of your oral health and making sure you get regular dental check-ups will also help prevent more serious problems down the line and prevent decay from spreading deeper, which keeps things easier and the long-term costs lower.
Aftercare: Looking After Your Filling
Once the numbness from a tooth-coloured filling wears off, you can usually resume eating and drinking normally. To make your filling last longer with proper care, stick to these simple habits:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss every day to stop any further decay from setting in around the filling edges
- Avoid chomping on ice or eating ice cream
- Try not to snack too frequently on sweet or sugary food
- Keep getting regular dental reviews and cleanings
Also, if you grind your teeth at night, consider getting a customised night guard to protect your tooth fillings and prevent them from wearing down.
Can Tooth-Coloured Fillings Be Used for Front Teeth?
They are the preferred choice, especially for front teeth, as a high-quality composite filling can look absolutely natural when done right and provide a virtually invisible, aesthetically pleasing result. This composite material is often used for small cosmetic jobs, such as repairing chipped teeth, closing small gaps, or making small gaps smaller, restoring both its appearance and function for front teeth.
Why Choose TEETH @ Tiong Bahru for Tooth-Coloured Fillings?
A good filling goes beyond simply plugging a cavity. It’s got to feel right, match your tooth colour and last you a good long while as a durable solution. At our dental clinic in Singapore, we do the following to give you the best service we can:
- Using digital imaging to get an accurate diagnosis and detect broken or badly damaged teeth
- Only doing what’s necessary to fix the problem so we can keep as much of your tooth structure as possible
- Getting the match right so your filling blends seamlessly with your other teeth
- Giving you a smooth finish that’s easy to look after
- Keeping you in the loop throughout the treatment
We’re right in the heart of Tiong Bahru, so many patients from all over Singapore can get to our clinic. If you catch tooth decay early, it’s a simple process for tooth sensitivity or pain. Get in touch with TEETH @ Tiong Bahru dental clinic today to book a consultation and get the dental health care you need, whether you need a filling for medium-sized cavities, larger cavities, or require a root canal treatment for more extensive decay.
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