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What is dental fillings in?

A filling is the simplest and most common dental procedure, but how it is done determines whether the tooth lasts another ten years or needs refilling after two. At Miško Clinic we fill slowly, with a microscope or loupes, under rubber dam (a rubber sheet that isolates the tooth from saliva and moisture), using light-cured composite with a layering technique.

This means the material is placed in thin layers, each cured separately with a UV lamp, and the layers are matched to the shade and translucency of the tooth so the result is indistinguishable from the natural tooth. During filling we always preserve healthy tooth tissue: we drill only as much as is needed to remove the decay. You can find all filling prices in the price list.

When is it needed?

  • A dark spot or hole appears: early decay that does not yet hurt but is already visible.
  • Sensitivity to sweet or cold: a micro-crack or a small area of decay opens up in the tooth.
  • A lost or cracked old filling: it needs replacing so bacteria do not get inside the tooth.
  • A chipped tooth edge: a small fracture that can be restored with composite, without grinding down the whole tooth.
  • Aesthetic restoration of a front tooth: changing the colour, closing a small gap between the front teeth.
  • After root canal treatment: a temporary filling is placed; later a full restoration or crown may be needed.
  • Bite reconstruction with fillings: height is restored to worn teeth to avoid comprehensive prosthetic work.

How the procedure works

  1. 1

    Examination and diagnostics

    We assess the tooth and, if needed, take an X-ray to see the depth of the decay.

  2. 2

    Local anaesthetic

    If the cavity is deep or the tooth is sensitive, we administer the anaesthetic slowly so the procedure is painless.

  3. 3

    Removing the damaged tissue

    We carefully remove only the decayed tissue, preserving as much of the healthy part as possible.

  4. 4

    Isolation with a rubber dam

    We cover the tooth with a rubber sheet so no saliva or moisture reaches the working area; the filling will last longer.

  5. 5

    Adhesive preparation

    The enamel and dentine surfaces are prepared so the composite chemically bonds to the tooth.

  6. 6

    Layered restoration

    We place the composite in thin layers, curing each with a UV lamp, restoring the natural anatomy of the tooth.

  7. 7

    Bite adjustment and polishing

    We check how the filling meets the opposing teeth and smooth the surface so food does not stick and hygiene is easy.

Filling materials compared

MaterialAestheticsStrengthLifespanWhere we use it
Light-cured compositeVery good, dozens of shades, translucent like a natural toothGood7-15 yearsThe usual choice for permanent teeth, front and back
Glass ionomer fillingMedium, less translucentMedium, lighter than composite3-7 yearsMilk teeth in children, a lining under composite, tooth necks
Amalgam (we do not use it)Poor, silver colouredVery good10-20 yearsWe have not used amalgam since 2014 due to its mercury content and aesthetics

Dental Fillings in cost

  • Small filling (one surface)composite, rubber dam, linings80 €
  • Medium filling (two surfaces)100 €
  • Large filling (three or more surfaces)120 €
  • Glass ionomer fillingchemically cured80 €
  • Filling with silicone guidescomplex restoration of the front teeth120 €
  • Temporary filling20 €

You can find the full price list here. We confirm the exact price after an examination.

Aftercare following dental fillings

Light-cured composite sets immediately after being cured with the UV lamp, so you can eat the same day. However, there are a few points worth noting for the first days after the procedure:

  • Wait until the local anaesthetic wears off (2 to 3 hours) so you do not bite your cheek, lip or tongue.
  • For the first 48 hours, if the filling is on a front tooth, avoid strongly staining products: coffee, black tea, red wine, turmeric.
  • Mild sensitivity to cold or heat is possible for the first 1 to 2 weeks, especially if the filling was deep. This is a normal reaction and passes on its own.
  • If the filling feels 'high' in your bite (rubbing first, before the other teeth), get in touch without delay; the adjustment takes 5 minutes.
  • If the pain worsens, throbs or appears at night, it may indicate that the decay reached the nerve and root canal treatment will be needed.

Continue your usual brushing twice a day, use floss around filled teeth, and come for a check-up after 6 months, when we will review how the filling is holding up.

Why choose Miško Dental Clinic for dental fillings

  • Work under rubber dam: the rubber sheet isolates the tooth from saliva, so the filling bonds more firmly and lasts longer.
  • A microscope or loupes every day: we see details invisible to the naked eye, which matters for small cavities and tissue near the nerve.
  • Layering technique: the composite is placed in thin layers; we restore the natural anatomy, not just fill the cavity.
  • A 12-month guarantee on fillings: if a filling falls out or cracks within the first 12 months other than through trauma, we replace it free of charge, provided you attend regular check-ups.
  • A conservative approach: we drill only as much as needed and spare the healthy tissue, so the tooth lasts longer.

Dentist Lauras Smilgevičius on fillings:

Many people think: it is only a filling, what is so difficult about that? I believe it is one of the most difficult everyday tasks. It depends on the materials, on a dry working area, on the layering, on the bite, on the polishing of the surface. All these small things determine whether the filling lasts five years or fifteen.

I work with light-cured composite, placed in layers under rubber dam. That is a rubber sheet that isolates the tooth from saliva and moisture. To some patients it seems strange at first, but the result is simply different. The filling lasts longer, and there is less chance that the tooth will become sensitive afterwards or that bacteria will get into the cavity.

And about colour. Modern composite has several dozen shades and levels of translucency. A good front-tooth filling, done properly, cannot later be told apart from the natural tooth even up close. That takes time and patience, but my work is that patience.

Dental Fillings in: frequently asked questions

How much does a filling cost at Miško Clinic?
The price depends on the size and complexity of the filling. Guide prices: a small filling (one tooth surface) 80 €, a medium one (two surfaces) 100 €, a large one (three or more surfaces) 120 €. A glass ionomer filling is 80 €, and a temporary filling 20 €. You can find all prices in the price list.
Is filling painful? Is an injection always needed?
Filling under local anaesthetic is painless. If the cavity is very shallow and does not reach the nerve, it can sometimes be filled without anaesthetic, but we make that decision with you and only when we are sure there will be no discomfort. If you are afraid of injections, we use finer needles and inject slowly.
How long does placing one filling take?
A simple filling on one tooth takes 30 to 45 minutes; larger or aesthetic front-tooth fillings up to an hour and more. We do not squeeze filling in between other work: it is done slowly and carefully, and it is worth it.
How many years does a composite filling last?
A well-made composite filling lasts 7 to 10 years on average, sometimes 15 or more. The lifespan depends on the size of the filling, its place in the mouth (front or back teeth), your bite (whether you grind your teeth), hygiene and diet. We monitor our fillings at check-ups to spot changes at an early stage.
Can I eat straight after a filling?
Yes, light-cured composite hardens immediately after being cured with the UV lamp: you can eat the same day. We advise waiting until the local anaesthetic wears off (2 to 3 hours) so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. Mild cold or heat sensitivity is possible in the first days; this is normal and should pass within a week.
Why does a tooth sometimes start to ache after a filling?
If the pain is mild and appears only with cold or chewing, it may be a temporary reaction that passes within 1 to 2 weeks. If the pain is severe, throbbing or keeps you awake at night, it may mean the decay has already reached the nerve and root canal treatment will be needed. In that case get in touch and we will solve it together.
When is a crown or inlay needed instead of a filling?
If more than half of the tooth tissue is destroyed, a large filling becomes unpredictable: the tooth may chip or fracture. We then suggest a crown or a ceramic onlay, which wraps around and strengthens the remaining tooth. We discuss this before the procedure, not after.
Do you give a guarantee on fillings?
Yes. If you attend regular check-ups (every 6 months), a filling we have made that falls out or cracks within the first 12 months other than through trauma is replaced free of charge. The guarantee does not apply if check-ups are missed or the filling is damaged by bite problems we warned about in advance.
Do you use amalgam (silver fillings)?
No, we have not used amalgam since the clinic opened in 2014. All our fillings are light-cured composite or glass ionomer material, both mercury-free and tooth-coloured. If you have an old amalgam filling and want to replace it, we can safely remove it and restore the tooth with composite.
Is filling safe during pregnancy?
Yes, especially in the second trimester (weeks 13 to 27). Untreated decay during pregnancy is more dangerous to mother and baby than a safely performed filling, since the decay can reach the nerve and cause an abscess. Always tell us you are pregnant: we will choose a safe local anaesthetic and, where possible, postpone X-rays or protect the abdomen with a lead apron.
Can a tooth with a crack be filled?
It depends on the depth and location of the crack. A surface enamel crack can be strengthened with adhesive composite; a deeper crack running through the whole tooth often requires a crown so the tooth does not split in half. We decide after an examination and, if needed, an X-ray.
Do you fill children's milk teeth?
Yes, children's fillings are carried out by Dr Rasa Smilgevičienė. For milk teeth we usually use glass ionomer material (which releases fluoride) or coloured fillings that help create a positive experience. More about children's dentistry.

Need a filling or a replacement?

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