What is the Cost of a Dental Filling?

Dental Fillings Explained – Types, Costs & What to Expect

A dental filling, also known as a tooth filling or cavity filling, helps repair tooth cavities. Dentists use them to fill gaps in damaged or decayed areas. Fillings help preserve tooth structures, ensuring their longevity.

It reduces pain and sensitivity to nerve endings in the damaged teeth. Additionally, filling any gap prevents the entry of bacteria, which can cause further secondary infections.

What is a Dental Filling?

It is a dental restoration procedure used to repair tooth decay, fractures, or other significant damage. The primary process involves the removal of decayed or damaged parts of the tooth and then filling the resulting space with materials such as composite resin (tooth-coloured), amalgam, gold, or porcelain.   

What is the Basic Cost of a Dental Filling?

The cost of a dental filling in India varies, and to some extent, it depends on the materials, the dentist's expertise, and location. However, generally, it costs between Rs. 500 and Rs. 5,000 for a filling, with tooth-coloured fillings or composite fillings being on the higher end.

What are the Types of Dental Fillings?

There are various types of dental fillings to meet the different requirements of patients. However, these fall into two main categories, as follows:

1. Direct Filling

Dentists place fillings directly in the patient’s mouth without using a dental laboratory or temporary restoration. Common materials used for direct fillings are:

• Amalgam (silver in colour; tin, zinc, copper, and mercury mixed with silver).
• Resin composite (tooth-coloured, resin base with powdered quartz, glass or silica).
• Glass ionomer (specially made up of silica glass powder).    

2. Indirect Filling

Onlays and inlays are the two main types of indirect fillings. These are used if there is too much damage to support a filling but not enough damage for a crown.

Mainly, an indirect filling requires two clinic visits, one for taking dental impressions and another for placing the restoration. Inlays or onlays fit into the specific tooth as a tiny puzzle. Common materials that are used in indirect fillings:

• Gold (gold mixed with metals like tin, silver, copper or palladium).
• Porcelain (tooth colour; contains minerals like quartz, feldspar, and kaolin).

What are the Steps of a  Total Dental Filling Procedure?

The steps for dental filling depend on the material used and the type of filling. But, in general, here are the basic steps of a dental filling:

1. Dentists numb the tooth with local anaesthesia.
2. They use specialised instruments to remove damaged or decayed tissue from the tooth.
3. After this, they fill the hole with dental filling materials.
4. A dental curing light is used to harden the material with resin composite.
5. Additionally, they polish and smooth any rough edges.
6. Lastly, they ask the patients to check whether the jaw movement is normal or not.   

What are the Benefits of a Dental Filling?

Dental fillings repair pre-existing tooth decay and reduce the risk of further damage. Depending on the type, it can also provide additional benefits like:

• Strengthens any weakened teeth.
• Preserves the natural tooth structure.
• Restores normal chewing function.
• Improves the overall appearance of the teeth.
• Lasts for a longer time, almost 10 to 20 years.  

Major Complications of Dental Fillings?

These are the major complications of a dental filling:

• Pulsating Toothache: Many patients have experienced a throbbing pain in the filled tooth after the procedure. However, it is temporary and disappears automatically after a specific period.  
• Pain While Chewing: This usually happens if the new filling interferes with the usual bite process. Dentists can easily fix this issue by reshaping the filling.
• High Sensitivity: If the patient experiences extreme pain after exposure to something hot or cold, it may indicate neural damage. Doctors can do a root canal or tooth extraction surgery to fix this issue.

Dental fillings repair and improve tooth structures, reducing the risk of further decay. To minimise this risk, it is recommended to visit a dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings.

Also Read:

→ What is the Cost of a Dental Bridge

→ What is the Cost of a Front Tooth Dental Crown

→ What is the Cost of a Dental Bone Graft

→ What is the Cost of a Dental X-ray

→ What is the Cost of Dental Cleaning