What is a dental filling?

Filling the cavity formed after the decay of a decayed tooth has been cleaned, or the tissue loss caused by various reasons such as fractures, with a material that suits the tooth’s own form, is called a filling. It is the process of restoring the natural function and appearance of a tooth that has lost tooth structure. A dental filling must be done to prevent bacteria from entering the cavities in the tooth and to stop the decay from progressing.

How is a dental filling done?

• A dental X-ray is taken and the area to be filled is identified.
• The inside and surroundings of the tooth are cleaned with dental instruments.
• The filling material to be applied to the patient is selected.
• The filling material is placed in the cleaned area and shaped to match the shape of the tooth.
• The dentist either hardens the filling material placed in the tooth, or the material hardens over time.
• After the filling procedure, the dentist gives the filling its final shape by trimming and thinning it according to how it feels to the patient.

The filling procedure is generally done as above and completed in a single session, but sometimes the time and number of sessions may differ for filling procedures carried out together with a laboratory.

Dental filling materials

Cavities formed by fractures, decay or loss of tooth structure need to be filled with materials suitable for the tooth. If a filling is not done after a cavity has formed, the tooth may decay or the existing decay may grow, which can lead to both toothache and involvement of the pulp. For this reason, cavities formed in the tooth for any reason are filled by the dentist. There are different dental filling materials used today.

• Composite filling: The filling material most frequently used by dentists. It is preferred because it is aesthetically compatible with the tooth tissues. Composite fillings are not really recommended for filling large cavities because their brittle structure is not durable. They are applied especially to the front and visible parts of the teeth.
• Inlay – onlay filling: They can be made of metal, ceramic or composite. After the decayed part of the tooth is cleaned, an impression or scan of the patient’s mouth is taken so that the filling can be made in a laboratory environment.
• Porcelain filling: A filling material that matches the teeth nicely in aesthetic terms. It is prepared from porcelain in a laboratory environment. Its cost is close to that of gold fillings. Its appearance is very close to that of a natural tooth. It is prepared in the laboratory and applied in the patient’s mouth.
• Amalgam filling: Commonly called a metal filling or silver filling. Its content consists of silver, copper, tin and mercury. Although it is not much preferred by patients because of its appearance, it can be used on the back teeth. Although it is quite strong and long-lasting, especially during placement and removal sessions it can release quite a lot of mercury and cause it to mix into the blood. However, the amount of mercury released by an existing amalgam filling that was placed previously is negligible.
• Gold filling: Although it is the strongest and longest-lasting filling material, it is also the most expensive filling material because it contains gold. It is also the most demanding filling material for the dentist. The cavity to be filled is prepared and an impression or scan is taken, and the filling is prepared together with laboratory procedures; since a laboratory is involved, it is not completed in a single session. It is not much preferred today.

How long does a dental filling last?

The durability of the filling material applied to the tooth is mostly related to how well the patient cares for their teeth. Habits such as very hot and very cold foods and drinks, not brushing the teeth twice a day, the use of tobacco and its derivatives, the consumption of acidic drinks such as alcohol and fizzy drinks, nail biting and teeth clenching determine how long a dental filling can last.

Dental filling price

The price of a dental filling varies depending on the tooth to be treated, the amount of tooth structure lost and the type of filling material chosen. By law, we cannot give prices on our website. Please contact us for information.