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Mississauga, ON · Tooth-Coloured Restorations

Composite Fillings in Mississauga

Restore a decayed or damaged tooth with a natural-looking, durable composite filling. No metal. No grey shadows. Just a seamless repair that blends with your smile.
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905-848-2250
Overview

What are composite fillings?

A composite filling is a tooth-coloured restoration made from a blend of plastic resin and fine glass particles. It is used to repair teeth affected by cavities, minor fractures, or surface damage — restoring both the function and appearance of the tooth. Unlike traditional amalgam (silver) fillings, composite is bonded directly to the tooth structure, allowing us to remove less healthy tooth material during preparation.At Tomken Dental, composite is our standard filling material. It matches the shade of your natural tooth so closely that most fillings are invisible in normal conversation. The bonding process also helps reinforce the restored tooth — making composite fillings a functional, aesthetic, and structurally sound choice for patients of all ages.

Natural-Looking Result

Composite resin is shade-matched to your tooth colour, making the filling virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding enamel. Whether it’s a front tooth or a back molar, the result blends seamlessly — no grey shadow, no metal visibility when you open your mouth.

Less Tooth Removal

Composite bonds chemically to the tooth, requiring less drilling than amalgam, which needs undercuts in the tooth to mechanically lock in place. Preserving more natural tooth structure is always preferable for long-term tooth strength.

Immediate Strength

Composite fillings are hardened with a curing light during the appointment and are fully functional immediately. You can bite and chew normally as soon as the anesthetic wears off — there’s no waiting period for the filling to set.
Who This Is For

When a composite filling is recommended.

Composite fillings address a range of situations where the tooth structure has been compromised. Whether it’s a small cavity caught early or a moderate repair needed for a broken tooth, composite is a versatile, aesthetic solution.

Cavities of Any Size

From small early-stage decay to moderate cavities that haven’t yet reached the pulp, composite fillings restore the tooth and stop decay from progressing. Treating cavities early keeps the restoration small — and the tooth stronger in the long run.

Replacing Old Amalgam Fillings

Patients who want to replace ageing or cracked amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured alternatives can do so with composite. While we don’t remove sound amalgam purely for aesthetics, we replace failed or deteriorating amalgam restorations with composite as a matter of course.

Minor Chips & Fractures

Small chips to the front or back teeth can often be repaired with composite in a single appointment without anesthetic. The composite is sculpted and polished to restore the tooth’s original contour — a quick, affordable cosmetic and restorative fix.

Worn Teeth

Acid erosion, grinding, or long-term wear can reduce tooth height and expose sensitive dentine. Composite can rebuild worn edges and surfaces, restoring proper bite function and reducing sensitivity — as a conservative alternative to crowns when damage is moderate.
What To Expect

Your composite filling appointment, step by step.

1

Examination & Diagnosis

We diagnose cavities through visual examination, X-rays, and occasionally a cavity-detection instrument. We explain the extent of decay, what the filling procedure involves, and provide a cost estimate before beginning. No surprises.

2

Anesthesia

Local anesthetic is administered to completely numb the tooth and surrounding area. We wait until you’re fully comfortable before beginning. For very small fillings — particularly on front teeth — anesthetic may not always be necessary. We discuss this option where appropriate.

3

Decay Removal & Preparation

Decayed tooth material is removed using a dental handpiece. We remove only the compromised tooth structure — composite’s bonding properties mean less drilling than with amalgam. The cavity is cleaned and shaped to receive the filling.

4

Composite Placement & Shaping

The composite resin is placed in layers, each hardened with a curing light before the next is added. This layering technique produces a stronger, better-bonded restoration. We shape and sculpt the final layer to match the natural contour of the tooth.

5

Polish & Bite Check

The finished filling is polished to a smooth surface. We check your bite carefully — the filling should feel identical to your natural tooth when you close. Minor adjustments are made until the bite is comfortable. The whole appointment typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Honest Expectations

Benefits and realistic considerations.

What You Gain

  • A natural-looking restoration that blends seamlessly with your surrounding tooth
  • Less drilling required than traditional amalgam — more healthy tooth structure preserved
  • Immediate full function — no waiting period after placement
  • A mercury-free, biocompatible filling material suitable for patients of all ages

Things to Know

  • Composite fillings typically last seven to twelve years — large restorations may need replacement sooner than small ones
  • Composite can stain over time with heavy coffee, tea, or tobacco use — polishing at cleaning visits helps
  • Sensitivity to temperature for a few days after filling placement is normal and typically resolves quickly
  • Very large areas of decay may be better served by a crown — we advise honestly on which is more appropriate
Preparation & Aftercare

Before, during, and after your filling appointment.

Before Your Appointment

No special preparation is needed. Eat a normal meal beforehand — the area will be numb for one to three hours after the appointment, making eating awkward until sensation returns. Let us know if you have dental anxiety so we can discuss sedation options. Bring a list of current medications if your health history has changed since your last visit.

During the Procedure

You’ll feel pressure and vibration but no sharp pain. The curing light used to harden the composite is bright — we provide protective eyewear. If at any point you feel discomfort beyond normal pressure, raise your hand and we stop. Most patients find composite filling appointments far more comfortable than they anticipated.

After the Filling

Avoid chewing on the numb side until sensation has fully returned to prevent accidentally biting your cheek or tongue. Mild sensitivity to cold or sweets for a few days is normal as the tooth settles. If sensitivity worsens after a week rather than improving, contact us — occasionally a filling needs minor adjustment. Avoid very hard foods on the filled tooth for 24 hours.
At-Home Care

Caring for your composite filling.

Composite fillings last longest when supported by good home care and regular professional maintenance.
Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste
Floss daily, paying attention to the margins around the filling
Avoid biting into very hard items like ice or hard candy that can chip composite
If you grind your teeth, wear a night guard — grinding accelerates composite wear significantly
Limit heavily staining foods and beverages to maintain the appearance of tooth-coloured composite
Attend regular cleanings so we can polish fillings and detect any early margin breakdown
Related Treatments

Treatments commonly connected with composite fillings.

Dental Bonding

Composite bonding uses the same material as fillings to correct cosmetic concerns — reshaping teeth, closing small gaps, or improving colour and proportions. The difference is application: fillings restore decayed structure; bonding enhances appearance.

Crowns & Bridges

When a cavity is too large to reliably restore with a filling, a crown rebuilds the entire visible portion of the tooth. We’ll recommend a crown when the remaining tooth structure is insufficient to support a composite restoration long-term.

Fluoride & Sealants

After a filling, fluoride treatments on surrounding teeth and sealants on adjacent molars help prevent future decay in the same area. Prevention applied after treatment is as important as treatment itself.
Why Tomken Dental

Why Mississauga patients choose us for composite fillings.

Precision Shade Matching

We take shade matching seriously — using multiple composite shades and layering techniques to achieve a result that genuinely looks like a tooth, not a repair. Especially for front teeth, the difference between careful and careless shade matching is immediately visible.

Conservative by Philosophy

We remove only what’s compromised. Our goal is to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible at every appointment — because the more tooth you keep, the stronger and longer-lasting the result. Composite’s bonding properties support this approach.

Honest About When a Crown Is Better

We recommend composite fillings when they’re genuinely the right treatment. When the decay is extensive enough that a filling isn’t reliable long-term, we’ll say so and explain why a crown is the better investment. You always receive our honest assessment before we proceed.
Common Questions

Composite fillings FAQ.

How long do composite fillings last?
Composite fillings typically last seven to twelve years with proper care. Smaller fillings tend to last longer than large ones covering significant portions of the tooth. Home care habits, biting forces, and whether you grind your teeth all affect longevity. We check filling margins at every recall visit.
Composite has significant advantages: it matches tooth colour, requires less drilling, and is mercury-free. In high-load areas like back molars, very large restorations may still perform better in amalgam in some clinical circumstances — but for most everyday cavities, composite is our preferred material and the industry standard.
No — composite is shade-matched to your tooth before placement. The result blends with the surrounding enamel so naturally that most people cannot identify which tooth has been restored. This is one of the most significant advantages of composite over amalgam.
Local anesthetic ensures you feel pressure and vibration but no sharp pain. Some mild sensitivity for a few days after the appointment is normal as the tooth adjusts. Most patients find the experience significantly more comfortable than they expected.
Yes — composite is fully hardened by the curing light during the appointment, so you can eat as soon as the anesthetic wears off. We recommend avoiding hard, crunchy foods on the filled tooth for the first 24 hours. The filling is at full strength from the moment you leave. Call (647) 692-6053 with any questions.

Fix it now. Keep your tooth stronger for longer.

Book your filling appointment at Tomken Dental. Call (647) 692-6053 or request online — new patients always welcome.
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