Tooth Fillings
Remove cavities, restore and save your tooth
What is Tooth Filling?
Whenever a tooth is decayed, damaged, broken down, or worn out, a tooth filling is used to fill in the cavities or restore the tooth’s original shape. It is one of the most commonly performed dental treatments.
When is a Tooth Filling Needed?
You might require a tooth filling if you are experiencing the following:
Temperature sensitivity to hot or cold foods
Tooth decay or cavity (seen sometimes as dark spots on the teeth)
Food getting stuck between two teeth.
Tooth pain
A broken or chipped tooth
Previous filling which has broken or come off
You will get to know whether a filling is a suitable treatment for you in consultation with the dentist. A tooth may be so extensively damaged that a crown, root canal, or inlay/onlay might be more suitable so always get a dental checkup first before deciding on a treatment.
Crown- A dental crown is an artificial cap placed on the tooth to protect it. Whenever a tooth is extensively damaged and cannot be restored by a filling, a dental crown or onlay will be more effective at restoring the lost tooth structure for the longer term.
Veneers- Veneers are thin shells of tooth-coloured material placed only on the front surface of the tooth.
Onlay- Dental Onlays are like crowns but they are more conservative of the remaining tooth structure.
Bridge- A dental bridge is made of 3 artificial teeth joined together. The ends are attached to healthy teeth, and the middle (the bridge) is used to replace a missing tooth after extraction. You can replace badly damaged or decayed teeth with a dental bridge.
Happy Patients
We always strive to ensure that all our patients leave us smiling
We started attending this dental practice on a recommendation when we moved to the area over 20 year ago. We have always received a warm welcome and professional service.
Niall LoftusDecember 8, 2023
The best Dentist I have ever been to. Miriam is a total pro and for those of us that are not so comfy in the dentists chair , she puts one at ease.
David O’MahonyDecember 18, 2019
What happens during a Dental Filling?
If required, first, our dentist will take an X-ray to check the extent of tooth damage. Next, local anaesthesia is gently given. Nowadays we usually use a device called a rubber dam for isolating the tooth we are working on. This rubber dam protects the back of the mouth and our patients generally find it very helpful with allowing them to “switch off” during treatment.
Using our specialised dental instruments, we remove the diseased section of the tooth and prepare the cavity to receive the “filling”, better known as a restorative material. A bonding agent is applied, which will help the “filling” stick to the tooth and thereby create a good seal against future bacterial ingress. Finally, we will transfer the filling material into the cavity space and rebuild the lost tooth structure shape it to match the tooth contour. We shine a light on the filling material in different sections to “cure” it. The last part is polishing the filling using burs.
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Practice Plan
frequently Asked Questions
Old dental amalgam tooth fillings may fall apart over time and give a metallic taste in the mouth. Food particles and bacteria can get in the space between the filling and the tooth if it is beginning to break down, and cause damage to the tooth underneath.
Tooth fillings may stain over time or show dark spots for a variety of reasons:
- The dark area could be staining from a food item, which you can remove with a soft toothbrush.
- Old amalgam restorations often oxidize over time and turn black because of the wetness in the mouth.
- The dark spot could mean there is tooth decay below the filling.
In this case, you need to visit your dentist for it to be assessed & considered whether to replace the old filling..
You will still be numb (from the local anaesthetic) for a few hours after treatment. With luck, a tooth filling will not hurt at all. However, sometimes you may experience tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, which is normal and should go away in a few days.
If your tooth is still hurting after more than a week, be sure to visit your dentist and get it checked out.
No, not all tooth decay will need a filling. The dentist will need to consider the size and extent of the decay. We can manage early decays with fluoride treatments and sealants. Fluoride treatments can strengthen the teeth and help the tooth repair itself. Sealants can also stop tooth decay by preventing entry of any bacteria, and arrest the progression of tooth decay.
You need to take proper care after getting a tooth filling, especially in the first 48 hours. Avoid biting down hard on the side of the mouth with the filling. Have a soft diet and avoid hard or sticky foods. Sometimes, the tooth may be sensitive, so don’t take very hot or icy drinks.
A correctly done filling will last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, depending on the material used, the location, the size of the filling and your oral health. But, if you do not practice satisfactory oral hygiene or take many sugary foods and drinks, you are at risk of further tooth decay beneath/around the filling.
No, fillings should not hurt. At our dental practice, it is normal to give local anaesthetic for procedures that we would expect to be uncomfortable.
If you have tooth pain after a tooth filling, this usually can be resolved by the dentist trimming a little more away from the “bite” surface of the filling.
The price of a tooth filling really depends on which tooth it is, and how big a filling is needed. We have a practice plan here in Miriam Kenny Morehampton Dental Practice which offers discounted rates on treatments and includes a yearly check-up and bi-annual hygienist visits. Below is the price table for tooth fillings and root canals.
| Treatment | Member of maintenance plan | Non-member of plan |
|---|---|---|
| White Tooth Filling – 1 Surface | €120 | €150 |
| White Tooth Filling – 2 Surfaces | €160 | €190 |
| White Tooth Filling – 3 Surfaces | €250-€280 | €300-€320 |
| Root Canal Treatment – Single Root | €450 | €500 |
| Root Canal Treatment – Premolar (2 roots) | €550 | €600 |
| Root Canal Treatment – Molar | €650 | €700 |
Whenever a tooth is broken, chipped or damaged by decay, the dentist inserts a biocompatible material into the cavity to restore and reshape it to its original contours. This dental procedure is called a tooth filling or dental filling.
A dentist removes decay from the teeth using specialised dental instruments and rebuilds the missing tooth structure with tooth coloured (white) filling material. Thus, a tooth filling seals up the cavity and prevents the entry of food particles and bacteria. It protects the teeth from further decay and damage.
Depending on the size, complexity, and material used, a tooth filling can take anywhere between 30 – 60 minutes.
Miriam Kenny Morehampton Dental Practice
Your Trusted Dental Clinic
Our practice is based on providing a high standard of modern dentistry in a friendly, professional manner. It is our mission to help our patients maintain their teeth and a healthy mouth for their lifetime.
Our entire team is committed to this ideal. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from returning patients and referrals of their family and friends. We welcome and are grateful for these referrals.
It has been normal for a long time in modern dentistry to sterilise instruments after use and to clean and disinfect surfaces.
With the current Covid-19 pandemic we are paying particular attention to our normal cross-infection practices, but in addition, we are keeping the practice well ventilated (it may feel cold) and we use a special Fogging machine with Hypochlorous acid (HOCL) which is an all-natural antimicrobial agent made from salt and water by an electrolysis unit. Fogging of each surgery is carried out between patients after any treatment involving an aerosol.
To reduce aerosol production during procedures with the dentist we most often use a little device called a rubber dam —.50 this isolates the immediate teeth we are working with & protects the back of mouth. During hygienist treatment we are using an extra suction device outside of the mouth, this also reduces aerosol production.
We offer modern dentistry in a friendly professional caring environment.
The practice is owned & directed by Miriam Kenny and as the business owner and the principal healthcare professional, I am primarily interested in providing evidence-based dental healthcare. This means my priority is to help my dental patients to maintain their own natural teeth in a healthy mouth for their lifetime.
We can help improve your smile – we offer a range of options depending on what is most appropriate for you, from tooth whitening to composite bonding to ceramic veneers, crowns and bridges.
How Much do Dental fillings cost?
At Miriam Kenny Morehampton Dental Practice we aim to provide state of the art, quality affordable dental treatment to all.
It was with this in mind that we created our affordable dental plans, which helps us to keep your teeth, gums and oral health in tip-top shape.
With our Practice Plan, you will attend every 6 months with the hygienist and once yearly for your dental examination and have no fees to pay at these visits. The cost of these visits is covered by your monthly subscription – this is as low as €14.50 or €21, depending on whether you qualify for the “PRSI” benefit.
| Treatment | Member of maintenance plan | Non-member of plan |
|---|---|---|
| White Tooth Filling – 1 Surface | €120 | €150 |
| White Tooth Filling – 2 Surfaces | €160 | €190 |
| White Tooth Filling – 3 Surfaces | €250-€280 | €300-€320 |
| Root Canal Treatment – Single Root | €450 | €500 |
| Root Canal Treatment – Premolar (2 roots) | €550 | €600 |
| Root Canal Treatment – Molar | €650 | €700 |
Other Treatments you may consider
This is a gentle, effective and safe way to achieve a remarkable improvement in the colour of your natural teeth.
Fixes the worn tooth and the underlying cause which may lead to sensitivity, bite problems, yellow teeth, headaches, or jaw aches.
Resemble natural teeth and help restore damage by bacteria or heavy biting forces to their natural shape and look.
Custom-made cosmetic correction of discolourations, gaps, out of shape, or chipped front teeth. Long-lasting result