How Much Does A Filling Cost

A dentist uses a cavity filling to fill a cavity hole in your tooth with some materials at a particular cost. Ideally, it aims to prevent tooth pain caused by tooth cavity, and it also protects your mouth’s future health. What is a tooth cavity? It is a damaged area on the surface of your tooth that causes a tiny hole or opening. Primarily, there are several tooth cavity stages. For starters, initial demineralization, enamel decay, dentin decay, pulp damage, and an abscess. Many people in Houston Tx wonder how much does a filling cost. Generally, the average cost of tooth filling is between $50 and $250 for one tooth to two teeth, and the cost is between $120 and $4500 for more than two teeth. However, some factors may influence the tooth filling cost.

• Tooth filling cost is determined by the material used in your dental filling, meaning each material has its own tooth filling cost.
• The number of teeth with a tooth cavity that requires fillings, and the more they are, the higher the cost.
• Tooth filling cost is also determined by the amount of time needed to fill the cavity. Hypothetically, the cavity on side of tooth takes more time than the cavity on front tooth, and the wisdom tooth cavity requires the most time.
• The tooth with a tooth cavity in terms of location, for example, the front tooth filling cost is amongst the cheapest.
• What the function of the tooth or teeth with a tooth cavity was also determines the cost. As such, the cavity on front tooth will affect a different function from the cavity on side of tooth and wisdom tooth cavity.
• Your physical location is also essential in determining cost of the tooth cavity.
• The dentist will also determine the cost of treating the tooth cavity.

Types of Tooth Fillings

Amalgam Fillings

It is one of the most researched materials used for dental filling, and dental professionals have used it for more than a century. Amalgam fillings are the strongest tooth fillings. Therefore, they are the best for tooth cavities in the mouth’s back, such as the premolars and molars. They are made of several metallic elements, including mercury and silver. Thus, they are noticeable when you smile or laugh. Besides, they are amongst the least expensive dental filling materials in terms of cost.
For Amalgam, how much does a filling cost? The tooth filling cost of amalgam is around $150 for fillings of one tooth or two teeth, and the cost is between $120 and $300 for more than two teeth without insurance, while the cost with insurance, it is about $89.

Composite Fillings.

They are also known as filled resins, and they are a combination of glass or quartz filler. Ideally, they are made to match your tooth’s color, and they are the best for small to medium-size restorations. Additionally, they are suitable for cavity on side of tooth as they perform the chewing function.
They cost an average of $207 with dental insurance, and the cost is $250 without insurance.

Metals

The most commonly used metals are gold amalgam and silver amalgam. However, gold fillings are much more expensive than silver amalgam fillings, but people are still most fascinated by gold fillings’ appearance than silver fillings. The advantage of metal fillings is that it can last up to 10-15 years before replacement. The cost is slightly high for gold, and a patient will have to part with between $250 and a cost of $4500 if they lack dental insurance.

Ceramic

This type of dental filling is made up of porcelain, and it is usually colored. Therefore, it is less likely to see tooth stains with time compared to composite’s fillings. Ceramic fillings are as expensive as a gold dental filling.
These inlays fillings might cost between $300 and $4500.

Glass Ionomer

It is a combination of acrylic and glass, and its use is to create a cavity filling that produces fluoride to protect teeth. Unfortunately, this type of decay filling is not long-lasting, and it may need a replacement as soon as five years.

How to Care For Dental Fillings

Know The Time it Takes The Filling to Set

Generally, different types of dental fillings set in different time windows. For example, glass ionomers take 3hours, but it might take 48 hours to become hard. Ceramic fillings set immediately with blue dental light assistance, while gold, composite, and amalgam fillings take about 24 to 48 hours. Figuring out the setting time will help you know long, you should be careful to avoid damaging the filling.

Take Medication if There is Pain

After installing dental fillings, you may experience some pain. As such, it is advisable to take painkillers over and over until the pain sensitivity subsides. Primarily, you should seek advice from your dentist if there is a need to take medications to manage post-operative sensitivity. You should follow the prescription instructions to avoid damages. Essentially, pain sensitivity mostly ends in one week.

Before Anesthetic Wears off, Avoid Beverages and Foods

Administration of the anesthetic during the filling procedure makes your mouth feel numb for some time. Thus, to avoid injuring yourself, it is advisable not to eat or drink anything as it might be challenging to gauge the temperature. For instance, the injuries include biting your cheeks from the inner side, biting your tongue, or biting your tip. However, if there is a need to drink or eat, consume soft foods and simple drinks such as yogurt and water. Besides, chew using the side of your mouth that has no fillings to prevent damaging your cavity filling.

Avoid Cold and Hot Beverages and Foods

Generally, to control pain, sensitivity, and damaging your filling, it is essential to avoid cold and hot beverages. The bonding process lasts up to 24hours, and these kinds of foods and beverages interfere with the filling’s bonds. They make the metal filling material contract and expand, thus, altering the shape, adaptability, and strength of the filling material, causing leakage and fractures.

Avoid Chewy and Sticky Foods

Foods such as raw vegetables and candies may cause problems such as pulling out the filling, and they may also cause fracturing of your filling or tooth, while sticky foods expose the filled tooth to more cavities. Besides, they also weaken a filling. Hence, it would be best to rinse your mouth after every meal, or you can use mouthwash after flossing.

Contact Your Dentist in Case of Any Problem

To prevent more damages, consult your dentist if anything happens, and avoid making your own decisions concerning the fillings. Such issues include discoloration of teeth or fillings, cracks in the fillings, prolonged sensitivity in the restored tooth, shaky fillings, missing or chopped off fillings, and seepage at the margins of the fillings.

Brush Your Teeth and Fillings Every Day

To maintain healthy gums, fillings and teeth, you have to brush your teeth every day, after every meal. It will prevent unsightly stains, exposure to the further cavity, and maintaining a clean mouth environment. As such, ensure you brush your teeth, especially after drinking coffee, wine, tea, and smoking any substance.

Control Your Intake of Sugary and Acidic Foods

To maintain better oral health, and avoid the need for more fillings, control your intake of such foods and beverages. Remember, tooth decay will likely occur underneath the existing filling, and the filling will break down, and it may start to leak over time. Limit your consumption of sugary foods such as sweets, energy drinks, and soft drinks, especially if you are not in a position to brush immediately. Train yourself to consume a healthy diet containing proteins, fruits, and vegetables.

Make Use of Fluoride Gels

Ask your dentist for the most suitable fluoride paste to use for your fillings. Fluoride gel or paste protects your teeth from the formation of new cavities and generally promotes oral health. Furthermore, it helps your fillings last longer since it strengthens your enamel.

Avoid Anything That Contains Alcohol

Alcohol will stain your fillings and reduce its durability. Therefore, avoid kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes that contain alcohol, and stick to non-alcohol colored mouthwashes and toothpaste, which are readily available at most drug stores in Houston Tx.

Avoid Grinding and Clenching Your Teeth Completely

This habit causes sensitivity and damage, such as cracks and chips, and it wears out your filings. If you are used to this habit, consult your dentist on using a mouthguard.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly For Checkups and Cleaning

This is an essential way of taking care of your fillings, especially because of the cleaning. Therefore, see your dentist more often, like twice or thrice a year.

How Long Dental Fillings Last

Depending on the size of the filling, the location, and your dental hygiene, fillings can last from 7 years to 20 years, and therefore different types of fillings have a different lifespan. The longest-lasting cavity filling include gold, ceramic, and glass ionomer tooth fillings followed by amalgam tooth fillings, commonly referred to as silver fillings, which withstand chewing pressure for over a decade. Moreover, amalgam filling removal cost is more affordable than white fillings. Tooth-colored composite fillings are the shortest lasting tooth fillings, yet most patients prefer it because it matches their tooth or teeth color, and they bond chemically with the existing tooth structure.

Cavity Filling Cost with Insurance

Dental insurance is beneficial as it cuts the tooth filling cost, but it only covers a stated amount. For example, if you have paid a deductible, a $180 cavity filling cost would be $60.

Cavity Filling Cost without Insurance

The average cost of tooth filling without dental insurance is between $200 and $600, which is very expensive. Cavity filling cost can also be between $100 and $4000 depending on the filling material and the cavity’s location.

Associated Costs with Dental Fillings

Dental insurance caters for additional costs like the cost of root canal, regular checkups, cleanings, x-rays, crowns, cost of tooth extraction, and other necessary repair work. However, there are costs that you have to incur by yourself, like dental implants, orthodontic treatments, and cosmetic procedures. Additionally, the type of material used is also a factor. There are some materials not covered by insurance, but the location of the filling like front tooth filling cost, for instance, is catered by insurance.

Where to Get Dental Fillings in Houston Texas

Dental specialists in Houston Tx, including Omega Dental Specialists, have affordable tooth filling cost for tooth cavity treatment.
In conclusion, if you experience tooth pain, it means you need tooth cavity treatment or cavity filling in Houston Tx, call or message Omega Dental Specialists to book an appointment with one of the best dentists. We are located between Midtown and Downtown Houston which is convenient for many people in Houston Tx. In truth, we offer one of the best services, and we respond immediately, giving our customers the best services at favorable cost.

Please note these prices are average and cost will vary depending on necessary treatments. Schedule your dental apportionment today for cost evaluation and explore your treatment options.