A tooth filling or dental restoration is a procedure in which the dentist removes damaged tissue of a tooth and then fills the hole with a special material that restores tooth functionality.
The materials used to restore teeth are biocompatible and in most cases, they imitate the color of the teeth, which also helps preserve the smile’s esthetics.
Dental fillings help to preserve natural teeth and avoid premature tooth loss due to tooth decay, dental fractures, severe teeth grinding, injuries, etc.
Types of dental fillings
There are two types of dental fillings:
- Temporary tooth filling: The dentist uses a moderately strong material to fill the hole in the tooth temporarily (usually glass ionomer), this might be necessary when the treatment requires more than one session, in this way your tooth is covered and protected in between sessions. Temporary cavity fillers last around one month before they fall out or break off so it is necessary to replace them for a permanent one.
- Permanent tooth filling: Permanent tooth fillings are made of more resistant materials that strongly adhere to the tooth surface, once they are put in place they can last around 15 years or more.
What materials are permanent tooth fillings made of?
- Resin (composite): These are cosmetic tooth cavity fillings that imitate the natural color of the teeth and also provide a higher durability rate, composite fillings are the safest and best long-term option.
- Porcelain: Porcelain and ceramics are more resistant and durable than resin, yet, they are unsuitable for restoring small areas of the teeth, so they are mainly used when the tooth damage is extensive, e.g. Inlays, onlays, or even for replacing the whole crown.
- Amalgam: Amalgam was probably the first filling material and it is still in use today, it’s very resistant and long-lasting, yet, since it is made of a mixture of different metals, including mercury, its safety is debatable, and that’s why it is less used every day.
- Gold: Gold is safe to use and is very durable, but just like porcelain, it is mainly used for restoring extensive areas, its look in the mouth is appealing to some people while others who prefer a natural look might not like it, plus, gold is an expensive material and a gold filling could be out of the budget for some people.
When do I need a tooth cavity filling?
Some signs that you might need a dental restoration are:
- Experiencing sensitivity on just one tooth.
- Feeling pain when biting or chewing.
- You have black or brown areas on your tooth (tooth decay).
- You have a visible cavity on your tooth surface.
- You have visible fractures on the tooth enamel.
- You have white spots in your tooth (tooth decay in its early stage).
Remember the only way to know if you need a tooth cavity filling is after a dentist examines your teeth, since in some cases the damage is not visible and only an x-ray can provide the required information.
There are also preventive treatments like cavity remineralization that can help reverse tooth decay if it’s treated in its early stage and prevents you from needing a dental filling.
Composite fillings for receding gums
Sometimes dentists use composite fillings to cover the neck of the teeth that are left uncovered when a patient is experiencing a gum recession, by covering the exposed areas, the extreme sensitivity and pain will stop immediately, plus, it will strengthen the teeth structure by protecting them from external stimuli.
Benefits of getting a tooth filling
- It stops the growth of cavities.
- It strengthens the tooth structure.
- It restores the shape and functionality of the tooth.
- It protects the natural teeth from further diseases.
- Some resin/composite fillings can release fluoride into the teeth once they are put in place, which improves the overall health of the teeth.
- Resin fillings are durable and can help preserve your natural teeth for many years.
- Resin/composite fillings are highly esthetic and improve teeth appearance.
Tooth filling alternatives
When tooth decay is in its early stages, your dentist can treat it with a fissure sealant or a fluoride varnish that will remineralize the tooth enamel while also protecting it from the acids that harm the enamel.
When the damage is already there, you could opt for porcelain inlays and onlays that work the same as tooth fillings, by covering the exposed area and protecting the natural tooth from external agents.
If you have a severely damaged tooth, you could opt for a porcelain dental crown instead of a resin filling, a dental crown will replace all the tooth enamel and will provide extra protection by strengthening the natural tooth while also restoring the appearance and functionality.
Aftercare of a tooth filling
Immediately after the procedure, you should wait until the effects of anesthesia are over, once this happens, you might start to feel some sensitivity in the treated tooth or even in the surrounding teeth and this is normal.
For the first 24 hours, you should avoid chewing hard, sticky, or crunchy food since it can increase the discomfort in the area.
Your dentist will prescribe anti-inflammatories if deemed necessary, but if they don’t, you can use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to relieve the discomfort.
Last but not least, keep a proper oral hygiene routine, brush and floss your teeth after every meal, and rinse with a gentle mouthwash or salt water.
How much does a tooth filling cost with and without insurance?
Composite fillings (white tooth filling) without insurance cost between $200 and $500 per tooth, while amalgam fillings (gray filling) cost from $50 to $150 per tooth.
Porcelain and gold are less affordable fillings, with prices going around $1.200 per tooth.
Dental fillings are considered a medical necessity so all insurance companies will cover all or the majority of the final cost. Since every insurance company has different policies you should contact your insurance provider to get accurate information on how much they are willing to cover.
Frequent Q&A
What to eat after a tooth filling?
In the first 24 hours after a dental filling you should keep a semisolid diet, e.g. eggs, potatoes, vegetables, soft fruits like bananas or grapes (avoid apples), cheese, soup, and smoothies.
How long does a dental restoration last?
That varies depending on the material of the cavity filling, usually, amalgam fillings need to be replaced every 10 years or so, but composite fillings (tooth colored fillings) can last up to 15 years or more if you keep a proper oral hygiene routine.
How painful is a dentist’s tooth filling?
They are not painful since the procedure is carried out under local anesthesia and the discomfort after the procedure is relieved using over-the-counter analgesics if deemed necessary.
Why do I have an abscess after dental restoration?
That means there is still an infection in the tooth, in those cases, it will be necessary to drain the abscess and prescribe antibiotic treatment, if it doesn’t work, it will be necessary to get a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction.
References
- Van Meerbeek, B., Vanherle, G., Lesaffre, E., Braem, M., & Lambrechts, P. (1991). Trends in the selection of dental filling materials. Journal of Dentistry, 19(4), 207-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-5712(91)90118-I
- Gholampour, Seifollah-Seif & Zoorazma, Ghazale & Shakouri, Ehsan. (2016). Evaluating the effect of dental filling material and filling depth on the strength and deformation of filled teeth. 5. 172-180. http://dx.doi.org/10.22038/JDMT.2016.7623