COSMETIC DENTAL FILLING

1. When do you need cosmetic dental fillings?

The tooth is a perfect structure with a close interrelationship between its parts. If one of the parts of the tooth, such as the crown, neck, or root, is damaged, the remaining parts gradually become weaker. Over time, this condition can lead to more chips or cracks in the tooth, causing it to become loose and eventually fall out permanently.

In daily life, your teeth may become cracked, chipped, or broken due to chewing food, trauma, or tooth decay. In addition to affecting your ability to chew, dental issues can also impact the aesthetics of your smile. Therefore, you should consider getting dental fillings immediately if you are experiencing any of the following situations.

1.1. Situations when you should get a cosmetic dental filling

We need to perform root canal fillings in specific cases such as:

• Cavities
• Worn tooth necks
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Gaps between teeth

If you don't want to grind the teeth and get crowns, you can choose the cosmetic dental filling solution to have a more even set of teeth. However, if the gaps between the teeth are too large, it is better to opt for crowns or cosmetic braces, as large fillings may easily fall out.

1.2. Benefits of Cosmetic Dental Fillings include

• Tooth decay left untreated will destroy tooth tissue.
• If the decay persists, it can reach the pulp, causing pain, and at that point, a root canal treatment will be necessary.
• Larger cavities tend to cause more sensitivity when filled compared to smaller cavities.
• The larger the filling, the more prone it is to breaking or loosening compared to a smaller filling.
• The cost of fillings is much lower than root canal treatment and crowns.
• The procedure is simple and quick, taking only about 15 minutes per tooth.

2. The latest cosmetic dental filling price list at Tam Duc Smile Dental

DISCOUNT UP TO 50%, dental fillings starting from approximately $12 - $42 USD
FREE consultation and 1:1 consultation with a specialist doctor.

*Note: The promotion is available when you register your information via Hotline 1900 8040 - 0329 851 079 (Zalo/Viber available) or through the Website

The price of dental fillings currently varies in the market and depends on many different factors. The aesthetic dental filling price list is usually calculated per tooth and is shown in the table below.

3. The process of effective and safe cosmetic dental filling

Tam Duc Smile High-Tech Dental Center applies the best 3M Composite material from the USA, ensuring that the fillings are shiny, bright like natural teeth, with strong adhesion to the tooth and long-lasting color retention.

The steps to perform the aesthetic dental filling procedure are:

3.1. Examination, X-ray, and consultation

• The dentist examines and determines the number, degree of decay, and chips of the teeth.
• An X-ray is taken (if necessary) to identify hard-to-see side cavities and the proximity of the cavity to the pulp.
• Consultation on the number of cavities that need to be filled and the cost.

3.2. Preparing the deep cavity

• The dentist uses a drill to clean out the decayed tooth structure, scrapes the dentin, and removes all the deep decay.
• Depending on the type of cavity, the dentist will shape the deep cavity accordingly.
• The enamel around the cavity is beveled to improve the adhesion of the filling.

3.3. Base filling and liner filling

This step is only for cases of large cavities close to the pulp, as composite materials have acidic properties that can irritate the pulp over time, leading to chronic pulpitis and pulp necrosis. Therefore, isolation filling is required, while calcium also helps stimulate the formation of secondary dentin to protect the pulp.

Liner filling: A thin and small layer of calcium is placed at the bottom of the cavity near the pulp, which can be in the form of Dycal (self-curing) or UltraBlend (light-curing) to isolate the pulp and stimulate secondary dentin formation.

Base filling: A layer is filled with Fuji VII or IX to replace the decayed dentin.

3.4. Etching the cavity surface 

• The dentist applies a thin layer of etching agent on the enamel surface (for 15 seconds), dentin (for 10 seconds), and the area near the pulp (for 5 seconds).
• Water spray is used to rinse the deep cavity for 20-30 seconds to remove the etching acid, preventing damage to the tooth structure and pulp irritation, which could cause sensitivity after the filling.

3.5. Apply the bonding agent to the cavity surface

• Lightly dry the cavity surface until it turns chalky white.
• Apply a thin layer of bonding agent to the cavity surface, and after a few seconds, lightly spray to ensure the bonding agent spreads evenly and penetrates the etched surface.
• Use a laser light to cure the bonding layer for 10 seconds.

3.6. Proceed with the dental filling

• Select a composite material that matches the color of the tooth, and apply it in thin layers to the deep cavity, with each layer no thicker than 2mm.
• Use a laser light to cure each composite layer for 15 seconds, helping the monomer (soft form) polymerize into a hard, solid polymer.
• Continue layering the composite and curing with the laser until the filling is complete, then cure the final layer with the laser for 30 seconds.

3.7. Shape the filling and polish it

• Proceed with shaping the filling using a fine drill to recreate the natural shape of the tooth.
• Polish the filling to adjust the fit, ensuring proper occlusion, preventing any discomfort, and removing excess composite to avoid food retention that could lead to recurring cavities.
• Polish the surface of the filling to make it smooth, ensuring it doesn't roughen the tongue, avoid food sticking, and increase surface tension to help prevent staining.
• Provide the patient with oral care instructions and schedule a follow-up appointment every 6 months.

►►► Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does dental filling hurt?

• Small deep cavities: no pain at all.
• Large deep cavities close to the pulp: some discomfort may occur when using the drill to clean the cavity, but most patients can tolerate it. In some rare cases, where patients are overly sensitive, the dentist will administer local anesthesia beforehand.
• The larger and closer the cavity is to the pulp, the more discomfort you may feel during the filling process. Therefore, it is better to get the filling done as soon as possible, and it’s important to have regular dental checkups every 6 months to detect any new cavities early..

2. Is it safe to eat and chew with a filled tooth?

If the dental filling is performed at a reputable dental center by a skilled dentist, the filled tooth will function well for chewing and will be durable.

In cases where the dentist does not perform the filling correctly, you may experience pain when eating and chewing due to the following reasons:

• Performing etching for too long, or not rinsing the etching agent properly, causing pulp irritation, is commonly seen in cases of fillings for class 5 cavities near the cervical area.
• Poor filling technique or applying too thick a layer of composite, which leads to significant shrinkage of the composite when light-cured, causing gaps at the edge of the filling.
• Over-buffing the enamel, exposing the dentinal tubules on the chewing surface.
• A large filling near the pulp is required, but not using a liner or base filling, which can lead to pulp irritation.
• The filling being too thick or causing discomfort, leading to trauma to the tooth when chewing.

3. Is aesthetic dental filling durable? How long does it take for the filling to change color?

3M composite from the USA is a material with high durability. In terms of color retention, the color will remain stable for about 5 years, after which it will gradually darken and become more opaque than the natural tooth enamel. Regarding durability, if oral care is properly maintained, the filling can last up to 20 years without signs of peeling, cracking, or deformation.

»» For any support, you can contact the Hotline at 1900.8040 or 0329.851.079 (available on Zalo/Viber) to receive consultations from a dental advisor.