Composite fillings at Smile On You Dentistry are tooth-coloured, metal-free restorations that blend invisibly with your natural enamel — a world away from the dark amalgam fillings many patients grew up with. Applied directly to the prepared tooth in layers and hardened with a curing light, composite resin bonds chemically to the tooth structure, which means less healthy tooth needs to be removed compared to traditional amalgam. Our Lake Forest team uses composite fillings for new cavities, replacement of old metal fillings, and minor cosmetic reshaping — all completed in a single appointment.
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With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, composite fillings typically last 7–10 years, with many lasting considerably longer depending on the size of the restoration and the location in the mouth. Amalgam fillings can last longer in high-load areas, but composite technology has improved dramatically — and the aesthetic and structural bonding advantages make composite the preferred choice at our metal-free practice.
Yes — replacing existing amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured composite is one of the most common procedures at Smile On You Dentistry, and it can be completed in a single same-day appointment. Your clinician will assess each filling individually to confirm the underlying tooth structure is sound before proceeding, as some older fillings may reveal decay or cracking beneath them.
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic before any preparation begins, so the procedure itself is painless — most patients report feeling only mild pressure. A straightforward composite filling appointment typically takes 30–60 minutes depending on the size and location of the cavity, and you'll leave with a fully hardened, polished restoration the same day.