Dental Fillings

Dentares Smile Clinic offers modern composite fillings that are cost effective and aesthetic. It
is the primary concern of patients to ensure that their smile isn’t impacted by unsightly metal
fillings. Amalgam is a traditional metal restoration technique for fillings and inlays/onlays. Due
to modern materials and techniques, amalgam is a thing of the past. Our composite filling
material is coloured to match the natural tooth colour. It’s important to integrate restorations
in the most natural way at Dentares. As opposed to other restoration methods, composite
materials can be applied for immediate results. 

What is Dental Filling?

Dental fillings in Turkey combine a resin with glass powder to produce a long-lasting durable
filling to protect the natural tooth from decay. Bacteria and food particles can penetrate the
tooth's enamel and over time invade the dentin and pulp of the tooth slowly compromising
the integrity of the tooth. This can be incredibly painful depending on the advancement of
decay. So the dentist removes infected tissue and replaces it with an aesthetic composite
resin. Dental fillings are generally used on small areas of decay. If a patient presents with
advanced decay, then an inlay, onlay or dental crown may be a more appropriate treatment.
Fillings are durable enough to be appropriate for anterior and posterior (front & back) teeth.
However, greater attention is given to the anterior region to ensure that the colour and shape
matches to the naturality of the treated tooth. Composite resins have a porosity of 1-2%
which means they are not immune to discolouration over time. For this reason, anterior
fillings may need to be replaced more frequently than posterior fillings. If there are multiple
affected areas or the decay is large, then a dental crown or veneer may be more appropriate
for aesthetic reasons.

Who is suitable for Dental Filling?

Patients with decay in small areas above the gingiva (gum) line are suitable for dental filling
treatment. Dentin is the tooth pulp under the enamel layer and surrounding the tooth nerve
canal. Pain is experienced when decay affects the enamel and dentin of the tooth. Once the
decay has reached the nerve canal, doctors can suggest having a root treatment firstly to
stop sensitivity before covering with a filling. A root treated tooth can change colour over time
and the integrity is compromised. So in these conditions, a dental crown is a more
appropriate treatment.
Dental fillings are an appropriate treatment for children and adults. All dentists can apply a
dental filling but for a more appropriate service, caries treatment can be completed by a
paediatric dentist (doctor specialising in children's oral treatments).

How is Dental Filling in Turkey performed?

Dental fillings in Turkey are easily treated within one appointment. Local anaesthesia is
applied to keep the patient relaxed and pain-free during dental filling treatment. Barrier
materials are placed over the neighbouring teeth to avoid approximal collateral damage. The
dentist uses specialised burs to remove decayed enamel and dentin. 
Composite resin is mixed with ceramic or glass dust to provide durability and applied to the
treatment area in small amounts. Each small amount is pressed into place and smoothed
over to remove air pockets then cured by an ultraviolet light. Curing hardens the resin and
happens within a few seconds so applying filling material can be completed within a few
minutes. The final layer is textured to resemble a natural tooth. Articulating paper strips are
used to highlight high contact areas in the functionality of the built up composite filling. Higher

areas will disrupt the functionality so the dentist can reduce the size until perfect functionality
is achieved. 
Dental Filling Types
There are 4 types of materials used to create dental fillings. These are as follows:
 Amalgam - is a silver alloy that includes zinc, mercury and other metals and is the
traditional filling material before resins and composite materials were introduced to
dentistry. Despite attention to the mercury in amalgam material, it was ruled safe to
use. However, it does provide an obvious unsightly aesthetic. 
 Composite - is a colour-matching resin material that is easily moldable and hardened
by light curing. Composite resin is the most common filling material in dental fillings
used today. The life time is between 5 and 10 years.
 Ceramic - porcelain material is durable and cosmetic in application but is not cost-
effective.
 Glass ionomer - fillings are a combination of glass and acrylic plastic usually used in
paediatric treatments. These release fluoride into the tooth believed to protect the
patient from further decay.

What is better: a dental filling or a crown?

The appropriate treatment for a cavity depends on the degree of compromised integrity to the
tooth. If a tooth has multiple cavities or a cavity reaches the inner root nerve canal, then a
crown would be appropriate. In terms of aesthetic, a dental crown has higher quality
durability and aesthetic than a filling. However, there is more tooth preparation required for
crown treatment. So the patient should weigh these risks first.

How long does a filling last?

Dentares Smile Clinic in Turkey uses glass infused composite fillings for added aesthetic and
durability that can last between 5-10 years. Provided the patient adopts frequent oral hygiene
techniques and clinic check-ups.

When is the filling changed?

The dental filling can be changed when there is chipping, breakage, pain, or structural
damage to the restoration and or tooth. When a dental filling reaches 2 to 3 points of a tooth,
the treatment required is then known as a dental inlay/onlay.