tooth fillings

Understanding the different types & costs of tooth fillings in Singapore

woman getting a dental filling in Singapore

What are Teeth/Dental Fillings?

Tooth fillings, also known as dental filling are artificial restorations which are commonly used to treat and restore a tooth cavity or damaged tooth back to its original function and appearance.

While dental fillings are mainly used to fill up dental cavities due to tooth decay, patients may require a filling before a dental cavity has fully developed. Early signs that you may need a dental filling include increased tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking hot/cold foods and drinks, persistent tooth aches and pain when chewing/biting.

Dental fillings comes in a variety of materials such as, gold, dental cement, composite resins and amalgam to name a few. Depending on your needs and requirements, your dentist will recommend the right type of dental filling for you. Most people would typically require at least one tooth filling in their lifetime.

Dental filling procedure involves:

Application of local anesthetic so as to create numbness on the treatment site, around the tooth to be filled.
Removal of all decay from the tooth affected using a drill or laser.
Probing to ensure all decayed tissue has been removed.
Restoration of the tooth using the appropriate filling material.
A light cure is used to harden the applied layers of dental filling material.
Excess material is filled off and removed.
Dental bite-check performed to ensure that after the filling your teeth are in proper alignment.
Filling on the restored area is then shaped to the desired result and polished to create a natural looking tooth.

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Different Type of Dental Fillings Available

There are a variety of different dental filling materials that dentists utilise when treating patients. The common types of dental fillings include; amalgam, composite resins, gold and porcelain (inlays & onlays). Depending on location, extent of decay, your needs, requirements and budget, your dentist will recommend the right dental fillings for your case.

Silver Amalgam Dental Filling in Singapore

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings are typically made out of a mixture of copper, tin, silver and mercury. This type of dental filling has been used by dentist around the world for more than 150 years. They’re the least expensive option among the different dental filling materials. Moreover, amalgam fillings are known to be strong and very durable, being able to last up 10 – 15 years on average.

Although amalgam fillings are a popular option among price sensitive patients, they’re not without their downsides.

Disadvantages of amalgam dental fillings:

- Amalgam fillings do not match the colour of teeth at all, in fact they have the poorest aesthetics among all dental filling material options as the fillings are silver or grey in colour.
- Healthy parts of tooth may be removed in order to provide the proper fit for the amalgam fillings resulting in some damage to the natural tooth.
- Treated teeth may start to turn into a shade of grey.
- The metal which makes up the amalgam filling can expand and contract in the presence of hot or cold liquids or foods. This may cause small cracks or fractures to develop on treated teeth overtime. – These small cracks may cause pain if left untreated.
- Some patients may be allergic to the amalgam due to the presence of trace amounts of mercury. These allergies may cause itchiness and skin rashes. Removal of the amalgam filling and replacing it with another type of dental filling will address the allergy.

Tooth coloured composite dental resin in Singapore

Tooth Coloured Composite Resin Fillings

Composite resin dental filling are made from plastic or acrylic. They’re durable and can last up to 5 years before needing to be replaced. Unlike amalgam fillings, tooth coloured composite resin fillings match the same shade/colour as existing teeth as considered to be a lot more aesthetically pleasing to look at, they’re commonly used to restore front teeth or the visible parts of teeth. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, composite resin dental fillings blend into teeth so naturally that no one can even tell it’s there.

Moreover, they provide dentists with the versatility of being able to use composite fillings to restore chipped, broken and worn out teeth on top of being able to fill teeth as the composite resin material is able to micro-mechanically bond to the structure of a tooth which provides added support. All of this is done without the need of removing as much tooth material when compared to amalgam fillings.

Disadvantages of resin composites:

Reduced durability and ‘lifespan‘ when compared to amalgam fillings only being able to last up to 5 years on average before needing to be replaced.
When used to fill larger cavities, there is a risk of chipping or breakage which is not as prevalent in amalgam fillings.
Composite resins are pricier than amalgam dental fillings, up to 2 times as much per filling.
Slightly increased chair time required to place a composite resin filling, up to 20 minutes more time required per filling.

Gold Dental Fillings

Gold dental fillings have been used by dentists for the last 150 years with great success among patients. They’re similar to amalgam dental fillings in that they are a mix of gold, copper and other metals. They’re highly durable and are generally able to last more than 25 years on average being needing to be replaced. Gold fillings are the priciest option when compared to all other materials, costing up to 20 times more than a typical amalgam dental fillings.

Disadvantages of gold dental fillings include:

The high cost of gold dental fillings makes this an option that’s only available to patient who can afford it.
Extra visits required as the gold fillings will have to made in a dental lab before being shipped to the clinic for placement of the gold filling.
Poor aesthetics of the gold metal coloured filling. These gold fillings to not match the colour of natural teeth at all. Aside from amalgam filling, gold fillings are said to have the poorest aesthetics among dental filling material options as the fillings are gold in colour.
Galvanic shock can occur in patients who have both gold fillings and silver amalgam fillings in their mouth. This is a very rare occurrence but can happen if there is a reaction between the metals and saliva which causes an electric current to occur.

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Indirect Dental Fillings

Indirect dental fillings are specially customised dental fillings which are created in a dental laboratory, they’re similar to tooth coloured composite resin dental fillings except that they’re usually made from a type of porcelain or ceramic. Indirect fillings are generally only recommended for patients suffering from severe decay or if there is insufficient amount of tooth structure to support a regular dental filling but not to the point where a dental crown is required. Dentists would consider indirect fillings as a mid-way point between a regular dental filling and crown.

The process of placing a indirect dental filling requires at least 2 dental visits. In the first visit, decay/old filling is removed from the tooth and an impression of the tooth is taken. This impression is then sent to a dental lab where the indirect filling will be made. A temporary dental filling will be placed while the indirect filling is made. Once the dental clinic has received your indirect filling from the dental lab, you’ll be scheduled in for your second dental visit where the temporary filling is removed, and permanent indirect restoration is fitted, adjusted and cemented into place.

There are two main types of indirect fillings available; inlays and onlays.

Both inlays and onlays are known to be highly durable due to the material being porcelain or ceramic. These restorations are able to last a lot longer than conventional fillings with most indirect fillings being able to last up to 30 years on average.

Inlays

Visually, Inlays are similar to fillings but the indirect restoration is done within the cusp of the tooth. Inlays are made to fit perfectly into the ‘missing part’ of the tooth. Inlays are highly durable and can last for up to 20 years on average with proper care and maintenance. Inlays are used when a dental filling is unable to provide sufficient structural support to the damaged tooth due to the severity of the cavity resulting in the need of a stronger material to properly fortify the tooth.

Indirect Dental Fillings Restorations - Onlys

Onlays

Onlays cover a larger surface areas than Inlays, covering one or more cusps. Onlays are used in place of an amalgam filling when there is severe tooth decay which the amalgam filling is unable to fill. By using an onlay, it will increased the strength of the tooth while protecting it from further decay. This process preserves the majority of tooth structure unlike a full dental crown. Onlays commonly also known as partial crowns as they only cover a portion of the tooth as opposed to the entire tooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I maintain the longevity of my dental fillings?

Maintenance of healthy dental fillings is the same as maintaining good oral health. Patients should adhere to standard oral hygiene practices such as visiting the dentist regularly for scaling & polishing, burhsing with fluoride toothpaste at least 2 times a day and flossing at least once a day. In the case where the filling has cracked or if you start to feel pain on the tooth, call your dentist for an emergency dental appointment where he or she will proceed to take x-rays to properly assess your situation and treat you accordingly.

How long do dental fillings last?

The lifespan of any dental filling is highly dependant on your oral health and dental hygiene. Good oral hygiene practices can extend the lifespan of dental fillings while preventing new oral cavities from forming. The overal lifespan of dental filling is also highly dependant of the material used.

Silver amalgam dental fillings will usually last between 10-15 years
Composite resin dental fillings can last up to 5 – 10 years
Gold dental fillings can last up to 25 years
Indirect dental fillings made from porcelain can last up to 30 years.

Do I need a dental fillings?

As long as you visit your dentist regularly, the risk of developing a tooth decay is severly reduced as your dentist will be able to treat any potential cavities early on with less invasive treatment options.

Signs which may point to a potential oral cavity include:

A sudden increase tooth sensitivity when consuming hot or cold food and drinks
Toothache
Increased sensitivity when consuming sugary foods and drinks
Hole on a tooth
Tooth stains

If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, do contact your dentist for a dental appointment as soon as possible to prevent the cavity from getting worse.

Do I need a root canal treatment or dental filling?

In cases where there is severe tooth pain or prolonged tooth sensitivity even after getting a dental fillings, or in cases where there is severe tooth decay to the point where the pulp of the tooth has become inflamed, root canal treatment may be necessary to alleviate these issues.

If you’re having severe tooth pain of tooth sensitivity, make sure to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will advise you on the right treatment option after thoroughly accessing your teeth.

How long a dental filling take to heal?

Most dental fillings heal quickly within the same day of treatment. Some patients may feel some increased in sensitivity after the anesthetic wears off but it will normally subside after 24 hours.