No one wants to hear from their dentist that they need a filling. However, the good news is that materials and the looks of materials have improved some over the years. Composite resins can be used as fillings for small to medium tooth cavities (also called caries). This type of material provides a more natural, tooth-colored appearance, preferred by many to amalgam or gold fillings. The ADA noted that, although composite filling may not be quite as durable as amalgam (metal) fillings, they are used more often because of their esthetic benefit. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/composite-fillings