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1 hour
Cost
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- Annual Check-Up
- Local Anesthesia
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Table of Contents
Every one of us has at least one dental filling in their mouth. It’s a regular dental procedure that is frequently done every day in any dental clinic. Whether you feel a slight sensitivity to cold or have a chipped tooth, the dentist tells you that you need a filling during a regular check-up. A dental filling is simply done for children and adults.
This Sauve Clinic guide walks you through the dental filling procedures, types, materials, how to properly take care of your dental fillings, and a comparison between each type.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Teeth affected by caries, cracks, fractures, or damage lose shape and functionality, become cavitated, and become easily brittle. Tooth or Dental fillings are restorative materials used to treat and restore the health, function, integrity, and appearance of decayed or damaged teeth. Also, prevents pulp infection and further loss of tooth structure.
Why You Should Have Dental Fillings?
Even if early-stage cavities have no symptoms and patients are unaware of tooth decay, it can lead to sensitivity, pain, tooth chipping, and further tooth fractures.
That’s why at Sauve Clinic, we make our patients follow well-scheduled checkups to prevent any spotted dental caries from spreading and cavitations.
The main purposes of dental fillings are:
- Treat tooth cavities by removing the decayed portion and filling the space with a dental filling material.
- Prevent pulp tissue inflammation, pulp infection, or tooth loss.
- Repair cracks or chips with dental fillings due to injury or wear.
- Restore the tooth’s shape and function for eating and speaking comfortably.
When Do You Need A Dental Filling?
You need to see a doctor when you experience some of these symptoms:
- Sensitivity
- Intermittent pain with cold and sweets
- Pain or discomfort when biting down on food.
- Trapped food remnants between teeth that can’t be cleaned by brushing or flossing, if the cavities are in the proximal surfaces of the teeth
- Feeling the rough or sharp surface of the tooth
- Feeling or seeing a hole or a pit in the tooth
- Visible white, yellowish, or dark spots on the teeth.
Early stages of tooth cavities are symptomless, and late stages are characterized by severe pain, infection, or tooth fracture. That’s why you should never skip your checkups at your dentist’s.
Types And Materials Of Dental Fillings
There are too many dental filling materials to mention, one size does not fit all, as there is no single material that suits every patient. Choosing the best filing material is your dentist’s decision after a thorough diagnosis, clinical examination, and according to your expectations.
The types of dental filling materials affect the durability, appearance, and cost of the dental treatment. These are the most common types of dental fillings with their pros and cons:
1) Composite Resin Fillings
This is the most permanent dental bonding material used as tooth-colored dental fillings, which is used to restore the shape, integrity, and function of front and back teeth.
Composite Resin dental fillings are best for small to medium cavities in visible areas, like in the front teeth, and some small cavities in posterior teeth.
Pros:
- Tooth-colored dental filling that blends seamlessly with the natural teeth gives an aesthetic appeal.
- Durable direct restoration to the front and back teeth
- Minimally invasive dental filling and more conservative.
Cons:
- Considered to be a higher cost than Amalgam and GI filling.
- It can be stained over time by tea, coffee, or tobacco.
- Less durable in high-stress areas like molars.
- Its life span ranges from 5 years to 10 years according to the patient’s diet and oral hygiene.
2) Amalgam filling
It’s a permanent metal dental filling composed of a combination of metals, including silver, copper, and mercury, put together in “amalgamation.” This combination forms a very strong and durable direct dental filling for non-visible large cavities in the back teeth.
Pros:
- A High-strength and Long-lasting dental filling that ranges from 10-20 years.
- Cost-effective compared to its durability.
- Resistant to wear and tear, which makes them ideal for back teeth.
Cons:
- The metal silver color makes the dental filling less aesthetically pleasing.
- Placing and removing Amalgam filling is not conservative and quite invasive to the tooth structure.
- Over time, a patient can feel a metallic taste produced by the Amalgam filling.
- Teeth with amalgam dental fillings have dark halos or shades due to the absorption of tooth structure by the mercury and metal in the amalgam.
- Some studies show mercury in metal dental fillings can cause allergy and depression.
3) Ceramic Fillings
It is not a direct dental filling that is put directly into the patient’s mouth. Instead, it is a very effective, high-strength tooth-colored indirect restoration. This dental filling is made from ceramic and porcelain fillings, the same material used in dental crowns and bridges.
Used as tooth-colored restorations for large cavities in the back teeth to replace Amalgam fillings. Ceramic fillings are used in Inlays and Onlays restorations to restore the function and integrity of the decayed portion that is removed from the molar tooth.
Pros:
- Highly strong, durable, and long-lasting restorations (10-15 years or more).
- Excellent aesthetic appeal and matching the natural tooth color make it perfect in visible areas.
- Resistant to wear and stains.
Cons:
- Higher cost compared to direct restorations such as Amalgam and composite.
- It is considered invasive and requires removing more tooth structure as a space for the bonding agent thickness.
- Requires at least 2 visits, not just one dental visit, compared to direct restoration.
4) Glass Ionomer Fillings
It’s a direct tooth-colored restoration made from a blend of acrylic, glass particles, and chemicals that release fluoride, which helps prevent further decay and promote reparative dentin formation.
Pros:
- Fluoride releasing, which prevents further carious cavitation.
- Lower cost compared to composite and ceramic.
- Strongly and directly bonds to the tooth structure.
- Less invasive and suitable for children
- Less technique sensitive, unlike composite resin.
Cons:
- Not as aesthetically appealing and pleasing as ceramic and composite dental fillings because of the lack of shades.
- Low wear resistance and less durable (5-7 years)
- Fast absorption in water and saliva
All the disadvantages of GIs are solved with the rise of “Resin-modified glass ionomer “ as a result of modern dental technologies that blend glass ionomers with a resin matrix of composites to gain the benefits of instant hardening by curing, shade variation, and stability of composite resin with the benefits of fluoride-releasing.
5) Gold dental Fillings
Gold fillings are indirect restorative combinations of gold, silver, and other metals in the form of gold inlays and onlays. Celebrities from hip-hop and Rock & Roll culture are famous for wearing these golden, silver, or jewel face fronts or ‘grills’.
Pros:
- Gold fronts, inlays, and onlays are signs of wealth in some societies’ cultures.
- Extremely durable and long-lasting (20+ years).
- Resistant to corrosion and wear.
- Durable dental filling for back teeth.
- Provides a precise fit and strong bond to the tooth.
Cons:
- Yellowish-golden shades of gold dental fillings may be unaesthetic disturbing, and unpleasant to the eye.
- High cost compared to indirect inlays and onlays due to the high price of gold.
- Require multiple visits.
Dental Filling Procedure At Suave Clinic
The dental filling placement procedure isn’t difficult at all. At Save Clinic, we ensure that the process is straightforward, minimally invasive, and typically completed in a single visit, using high dental standards and high-quality dental materials. Here’s how:
- Examination and diagnosis
Proper examination of teeth to determine which are healthy or not, we also pay attention to detailed history and the patient’s description of the pain, which could lead to the right conclusions.
Dentists perform many diagnostic tests, such as percussion tests, hot and cold tests, cavity tests, x-ray assessments, and more… To find the tooth in question. - Discussing the treatment options with the patient, following up with the patient’s expectations, the patient’s best dental filling options, and discussing the Pros and Cons of every dental material.
- Numbing the Area by administration of local anesthesia around the affected tooth, then waiting for 5-7 minutes maximum until the numbness around the affected tooth.
- Removing the decay by dental burs “drills”, laser, or air abrasion tool. The dentist removes all the infected dentin to prevent any further dental caries or decay.
- Cleaning and preparing the tooth, the tooth is cleaned, isolated, and prepared with liners and cement if necessary. In the case of a dental composite filling, the tooth is prepared with an acid etchant and a bonding agent application.
- Placing the filling
Each dental filling has its own special placement techniques and instruments. For composite resin, it is applied in layers and hardened with a special curing light. For Amalgam or Glass Ionomer dental filling, the material is packed into the cavity and shaped. If using compules of resin-modified Glass Ionomer, a special applicator is used to place the material in layers, and then it is cured. In the case of indirect restoration, a luting agent is applied then the inlay or onlay dental filling fits into place precisely. - Finishing the dental filling, polishing, and final adjustments
Removing dental filling excess and high points using polishing brushes and rubbers to smooth out the filling surface and rough edges, and ensure comfortable biting and proper alignment.
When To Use Temporary Dental Filling?
A temporary tooth filling is a dental filling that is used as a temporary option between visits in case a permanent dental filling requires more than one visit. It prevents contamination of the tooth with food debris, plaque, saliva, and more till the permanent filling placement.
It has some special properties:
- Easily applied to seal the prepared tooth cavity, and easily removed
- Low durability and low wear resistance to be easily moved from the tooth cavity without any damage to the tooth structure.
- Consists of oozing components of zinc oxide eugenol, which causes less inflammation to the pulp tissue and gingiva.
- Its life span is very short and could last within 10-28 days without degradation by saliva.
Dental Filling Cost In Turkey
The cost of dental fillings varies depending on the material used, the Procedure complexity, and the offers we applied.
If the patient has a large decayed tooth that has a large cavity, he/she may require porcelain or ceramic inlays or onlays, which cost more than regular composite or amalgam fillings. Larger or more complex fillings require more time and materials, increasing the cost and the complexity of the procedure; that’s why a higher fee is required.
Dental insurance may cover a portion of the cost, depending on your plan and the type of filling, but the cost of a dental filling without insurance is still way more affordable than in the USA and the UK.
At Sauve Clinic, Dental Fillings start at $160. However, you can get promotions and sale offers if it’s part of a larger treatment plan. We seek happier patients and are more grateful for every moment we return a smile to life.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Tooth Fillings?
The main disadvantage of tooth filling is that it does not prevent caries from attacking the same tooth, unlike full-coverage dental crowns. Dentists usually recommend dental crowns and ceramic onlays as the best choices for restoring large cavities.
Dental Fillings Aftercare
The postoperative care of the dental fillings has an important impact on the durability and lifespan of the dental filling. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts After Tooth Filling.
The Do’s
- Keep the daily oral hygiene with gentle brushing and flossing as usual.
- For the first 24 hours, stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or soup to avoid putting pressure on the filling.
- If you have sensitivity around the filled teeth, you can use sensitive toothpaste.
- Wearing a mouthguard can protect your fillings if you are a bruxer.
- Limit surgery foods and drinks in your diet to limit the bacteria that cause dental caries.
The Don’ts
- Avoid eating until numbness wears off to avoid accidentally biting your cheek or tongue.
- If a temporary filling is used, avoid eating on the teeth with a temporary filling till the next visit.
- If a permanent dental filling is placed, avoid eating on it for 2 hours.
- Avoid hard, crunchy food that could break the filling.
- Avoid sticky-sweet food that could pull the filling out of its place.
- Avoid extremely hot and cold foods and beverages for the first few days after tooth tooth-filling procedure because of pulp sensitivity.
- Don’t skip your dental checkups for regular cleansing and dental plaque removal to prevent any further decay.
Dental Fillings FAQs
Is A Dental Filling Painful?
No, dental filling placement done under the effect of anesthesia numbsness. However, after numbness subsides, sensitivity and discomfort may be felt for a few days and be relieved spontaneously.
Can You Eat After A Filling?
- Yes, Composite resin fillings and ceramics porcelain Onlays and inlays get stable and harden immediately, so that the patient can eat after the numbness subsides.
However, it’s better to wait 24 hours after Glass Ionomers, Amalgam, and gold fillings.
How Long Does Numbness Last After a Dental Filling?
- Local anesthesia lasts 2–4 hours after the procedure, and it may vary from patient to patient.
Can I Brush My Teeth After A Filling?
- Yes, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle around the filled tooth to avoid irritation.
- Continue brushing twice a day and flossing daily to maintain good oral hygiene.
Can I Drink Coffee After Filing?
- Yes, but it’s better to wait at least 24-48 hours to avoid pulp tissue sensitivity, as the material takes time to fully harden. If you have composite dental fillings, decrease your intake of coffee or rinse your mouth after drinking it to limit staining.
If you have amalgam, gold, and ceramic fillings, you can drink coffee immediately after the dental filling procedure.
How To Speed Up Unnumbing?
- Move your mouth by chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate blood flow.
- Lightly massage the numb area to improve circulation.
- Apply a warm compress to the outside of your cheek to help the anesthetic wear off faster.
When A Dental Filling Fails?
- If you experience persistent pain or sensitivity
- If the dental filling feels loose or falls out.
- If you felt high points that cause pain or a headache.
- If you felt a rough surface that trapped food debris.
- If you notice cracks or chips in the dental filling.
Do Fillings Fall Out?
Yes, fillings can fall out due to decay underneath your tooth, due to chewing hard or sticky foods, normal wear and tear over time, or excessive grinding or clenching because of bruxism. If this happens, contact your dentist immediately to avoid any further damage to the tooth.