A white filling, or composite filling, is nowadays the most preferred material in dentistry for replacing the lost part of a tooth. It is sought after above all for its natural appearance. With correct indication and placement by the dentist and with thorough dental hygiene on the part of the patient, it can serve for many years.
The advantages and disadvantages of a composite filling
The main advantages of white fillings include:
- a highly aesthetic appearance — excellent for reconstructing both the front and the back teeth
- little need to drill into the dental tissues (only the part of the tooth affected by decay is drilled away)
- thermal and electrical non-conductivity
- zero corrosion and being safe for health
But it is also necessary to know their limits:
- lower resistance to chewing pressure on the back teeth (molars)
- a risk of cracks forming shortly after placement — the material is sensitive to handling and tends to shrink
- without thorough oral hygiene the lifespan of the filling is shortened
That is why it is essential for the dentist to assess whether, after the tooth decay has been removed, enough dental tissue remains in the surrounding area so that the forces are distributed evenly over both the filling and the tooth.
The procedure for making a composite filling
Once the dentist has removed the tooth decay, they use a special sheet called a kofferdam, through whose small openings the crowns of the teeth that need to be worked on are pulled. This ensures, on the one hand, comfort for the patient, whose tongue is protected beneath the sheet and who can swallow freely, and, on the other hand, a dry working field for the dentist — composite filling cannot tolerate moisture, saliva or blood during application.
The dentist then shapes, cleans and disinfects the cavity that has formed. For the composite material to be applied, the surface of the cavity must be chemically prepared using special gels. The material is then applied to the tooth in layers, and each of them is cured with a polymerisation lamp so that it hardens. Thanks to applying it in layers, the risk of cracks forming is eliminated and the filling is sufficiently strong and durable. As soon as the dentist has cured the last layer, they adjust the filling so that it does not interfere with the bite, and polish it.
The price of a composite filling
Health insurers do not contribute towards this filling material; the patient has to pay for it fully themselves. The prices for making a filling vary between practices — it always depends on the extent and the difficulty — but they range from 800 to 5 000 Kč per tooth.
Composite fillings with us
In our practice we work with a kofferdam and with tried-and-tested, quality composite materials.
We pay great attention to the aesthetic side of the filling — we combine several shades of the material so that it is indistinguishable from the tooth.