What type of filling material is often referred to as tooth colored?

The type of filling material often referred to as tooth-colored is composite filling material. Composite materials are made from a mixture of plastic resins and finely ground glass particles, which can be easily shaded to match the natural color and translucence of teeth. This aesthetic quality makes composites particularly popular for use in visible areas, as they provide a more natural appearance compared to other filling materials.

In contrast, amalgam filling material is metallic in appearance and does not blend in with the color of teeth, making it less desirable for aesthetic purposes in front teeth. Articulating paper, while an important dental material for checking occlusion, does not have any relevance as a filling material. Glass ionomer can also be a tooth-colored material, but it typically has different properties and uses compared to composite fillings, such as being more suitable for areas requiring chemical bonding to tooth structure.

Therefore, composite filling material is distinguished by its ability to closely match natural tooth color, which is why it is the correct answer in this context.