You know that your natural teeth can change color over time due to the foods and beverages you consume. You may not be aware of this potential for your fillings. Yes, white fillings can become stained at some point. Usually, this doesn’t occur as quickly as discoloration builds up on natural enamel. Also, it may occur differently than is normal for your natural teeth. When a composite filling stains, the discoloration may localize around the edges of the filling. If your white filling is in the “smile zone,” discolored edges can become concerning.
Composite fillings can turn dull or yellow over time but this material cannot be whitened like enamel can. This is an important aspect of white fillings to understand. To enhance the overall appearance of your smile, you may want to have your teeth whitened prior to receiving a white filling in a visible area of your mouth. This way, your filling can be color matched to your most radiant, attractive smile!