You may be bothered by a black filling that shows when you smile wide. Tooth colored fillings (also known as composite fillings) are made from materials that designed to match the appearance of the natural tooth. After the decayed part of the tooth is removed, the surface is cleansed and etched with a mild acid. An adhesive is applied, followed by several thin layers of the composite. Once filled, the composite is chemically cured with a special light, and polished.

Since composite fillings blend well with tooth enamel, they often best suited for teeth closest to the front of the month. Since composite fillings bond to teeth adhesively, less of the healthy natural tooth needs to be removed to hold the filling in place.