Tooth Filling in Budapest: Procedures and Materials

Dental fillings are one of the most common dental treatments. Today, it is rare for someone to reach the age of 30-40 without having at least one filling. This procedure is most often required due to tooth decay, commonly referred to as cavities. In this article, we will examine both tooth decay and the filling procedure in detail.

We will cover:

Tooth decay and its causes
Whether a decayed tooth is the same as a “cavity”
Some surprising facts about tooth decay
The process of getting a filling
Different types of dental fillings
What to watch out for after treatment
Common concerns and misconceptions about fillings

Tooth decay

Decayed teeth and cavities affect a lot of people. The bacteria responsible for tooth decay feed on carbohydrates, including sugar, and produce acid as a byproduct. This acid erodes the enamel, leaching out essential minerals. Once the enamel is damaged, it can no longer protect the inner layers of the tooth. The bacteria then penetrate deeper, continuing their destructive process. As the tooth deteriorates further, the cycle repeats itself.

The image clearly shows the loss of tooth structure. (Naturally, you are looking at a tooth that has been prepared for treatment, with all the damaged tissue already removed.)

The progress of tooth decay

As long as the decay affects only the outer enamel layer, proper brushing and using a special fluoride toothpaste can halt its progression.

Once the damage reaches the dentin, a dentist must intervene, typically with a filling to restore the tooth.

If the decay extends to the pulp and causes pulpitis, root canal treatment becomes necessary. The infection can spread to the periosteum, leading to severe pain. Abscess formation is also a common complication of advanced decay, often causing intense discomfort.

Although tooth decay can result in serious complications, it is relatively easy to prevent. Effective brushing with proper technique, interdental cleaning, and regular dental check-ups—every six to twelve months—can help maintain oral health.

Early tooth decay is often barely visible to the untrained eye and usually causes no pain. However, during an oral examination, a dentist can detect it immediately and prevent further progression. That’s why regular dental check-ups are essential, even if you don’t experience discomfort and your teeth appear healthy.

Tooth decay, cavities: are they the same?

Yes, the two terms refer to the same condition. Tooth structure deteriorates due to two main factors: the destructive activity of cavity-causing bacteria and the loss of minerals from the enamel caused by a low (acidic) pH level.

How is a dental filling performed?

The procedure is typically carried out under local anaesthesia, ensuring a pain-free experience.

The affected tooth structure is completely removed to eliminate cavity-causing bacteria.
The cleaned cavity is treated with specialised materials such as liners and bonding agents.
The chosen filling material is placed into the cavity (or an inlay is used for larger defects).
Modern fillings are hardened using a photopolymerisation technique, requiring a specialised curing light.
The surface of the filling is shaped and polished, and the bite is adjusted for optimal comfort.

Aesthetic fillings: inlays / onlays; post-treatment care

Following a dental filling or the placement of an inlay/onlay, you may experience sensitivity to hot and cold, or slight discomfort when biting. These symptoms can persist for weeks but usually subside gradually—there is no cause for concern in most cases.

Proper interdental cleaning (using dental floss, superfloss, or an interdental brush) is essential for extending the lifespan of fillings and inlays. Your dentist will provide guidance on maintaining oral hygiene—be sure to follow their advice for the long-term health of both treated and natural teeth.

When can I eat after a tooth filling?

After getting a dental filling, avoid eating until the anaesthesia has completely worn off—this means no food while you still feel numbness in your mouth. However, drinking is allowed.

Modern composite fillings harden immediately under UV light, so they are fully set and ready for use right away. The misconception about waiting likely comes from older amalgam fillings, which required time to harden properly.

If you received anaesthesia, wait at least 2-4 hours before eating to prevent accidental bites or injuries. If no anaesthesia was used, you can eat as usual.

Materials used for dental fillings

Amalgam fillings

Amalgam fillings were once widely used due to their durability. They are made from a combination of mercury and various metals and have a distinctive silver appearance.

Over time, amalgam fillings may cause small cracks in the tooth structure, which is why many dentists now recommend replacing them with more modern, tooth-coloured composite fillings.

Replacing amalgam fillings with composite fillings

Cement fillings

Cement-based fillings provide a strong and durable foundation, but they are rarely used as a permanent solution. Instead, they are typically applied as temporary fillings before a final restoration is placed.

Composite fillings (invisible fillings)

Modern composite fillings are high-quality and highly aesthetic. They are easily shaped, allowing dentists to restore both the original anatomy and appearance of the tooth. These fillings blend seamlessly with the natural tooth color, which is why they are often referred to as “invisible fillings.”

Inlays

Inlays are custom-made, bonded restorations created by a dental technician. They are used when decay is extensive, affecting multiple surfaces of a tooth or several teeth. The primary advantage of an inlay is that it allows the healthy part of the tooth to be preserved, avoiding the need for extraction. The inlay is crafted to fit the shape of the missing tooth structure – this phase is carried out in a dental laboratory – and it effectively restores the tooth’s lost portion due to decay.

One could say that an inlay is somewhere between a full crown or bridge and a traditional filling. Inlays can be made from ceramic, gold, or composite resin. The procedure is similar to that of crown or bridge placement: an impression is taken of the tooth, and based on this, the technician creates an inlay of the appropriate shape and material. While the inlay is being made, the patient receives a temporary filling. When the inlay is ready, the temporary filling is removed and replaced with the permanent inlay.

Aesthetic fillings

The primary goals of modern dentistry today are painlessness, using minimally invasive treatments, and last but not least, achieving lasting and aesthetically pleasing results. The latter means that a dental filling should not only be of high quality and durable but also aesthetically pleasing.

The minimum requirement for this is that, for example, tooth-colored fillings should be used instead of noticeable amalgam fillings. These tooth-colored fillings do not draw attention whenever the patient smiles widely.

An enhanced version of this is the invisible filling, which blends so seamlessly with the tooth that even an expert may find it difficult to detect.

An invisible filling “disappears” when the dentist restores the tooth’s anatomy as precisely as possible. Modern composite fillings are designed to follow the structure and original shape of the tooth. The color of the filling is, of course, matched to the patient’s natural tooth color, so the final result will look exactly like the original tooth.

Common concerns

What if it falls out?

A properly placed filling will not fall out! However, this is only true if you follow your dentist’s instructions. Improper oral care habits can lead to new cavities forming in other parts of the filled tooth, and eventually, the tooth may become so damaged that not only will the filling fall out, but the tooth itself may break.

A related note: temporary fillings (used in multiple procedures, such as inlays or root canals) are not as durable as permanent fillings. Therefore, be cautious when chewing with the affected tooth until the permanent filling is placed! Avoid hard foods or “sticky” foods that could bond your teeth together, such as caramel or chewing gum.

Is it going to hurt?

Thanks to modern anesthetic techniques, a dental filling is a completely pain-free procedure. Some post-treatment sensitivity may occur, but it typically subsides within 4-6 weeks.

I can’t stand the sound of the drill!

Today, dental tools, including drills, are much quieter. If the buzzing sound still bothers you, share your concern with your dentist! They will take your comfort into account and may either perform the procedure in smaller steps or try to distract you from the noise.

Common misconceptions

Chewing gum can dislodge the filling from its place

A properly placed filling will not come loose! Dentists do not oppose chewing gum, as it strengthens the jaw and helps remove plaque that sticks to the teeth due to the saliva produced during chewing. However, they do advise against excessive chewing, as it can wear out the temporomandibular joint.

It is not true that chewing gum can dislodge a filling. At least not with a professionally and accurately placed filling.

Tooth decay can be inherited

We often hear or read this misconception, and it’s important to clarify that cavities cannot be inherited. What can be inherited are traits that influence the decay process, such as the thickness of the enamel, the composition of saliva, or the alignment of the teeth. Crowded teeth, for instance, are difficult to keep clean, which can lead to plaque buildup, tartar formation, and, subsequently, cavities due to the bacteria trapped in the tartar.

Tooth decay is primarily triggered by a diet rich in sugar and carbohydrates combined with improper oral care. The problem arises when people neglect brushing or use improper techniques, leaving some plaque on their teeth. And as we’ve mentioned before, plaque eventually calcifies into tartar, which causes damage to the teeth, including promoting cavities. That’s why regular tartar removal is essential.

The key point is that everyone is born with a clean slate, or a sterile oral flora. You can do a lot to prevent cavities, no matter what unfavorable traits you may have inherited!

Milk teeth don’t need to be filled because they will eventually fall out

Milk teeth can be just as susceptible to cavities as permanent teeth. A dentist will only decide not to treat a decayed milk tooth if they believe it will fall out within a few days, or if the damage is so extensive that there is no surface left for a filling to adhere to. In all other cases, a decayed milk tooth should still receive appropriate treatment, even if the method differs from that used for permanent teeth.

The reason for this is simple: untreated cavities will spread. Eventually, they will cause pain—and this applies to milk teeth too, contrary to popular belief. Another important reason is that, as long as possible, milk teeth should be preserved because they serve as space maintainers for the permanent teeth. So, a painful milk tooth should definitely be shown to the dentist!

Consuming sugar is the most harmful thing we can do to our teeth

First of all, let’s clarify two things. The first is that if we brush our teeth thoroughly with the correct technique about half an hour after eating or drinking sugary beverages. Secondly, if we fail to do so, sugar can indeed be harmful to our teeth, and the more we consume, the more damaging it becomes.

However, it is even more harmful if we consume less sugary food or drinks but do so frequently. In fact, the worst scenario is when sugary food stays in contact with the teeth for a long time. For example, someone who doesn’t eat sugary food but sucks on a lollipop for 2-3 hours is causing more harm to their teeth than someone who eats half a cake as part of their lunch – and this action takes just 10 minutes.

While the cake does introduce more sugar into the body (and unfortunately, its harmful effects will affect other parts of the body as well), the lollipop causes more harm to the teeth overall. The most important takeaway is that after consuming sugary foods and drinks, don’t forget to brush your teeth! Another key point to remember is to avoid nibbling or sipping on sweet treats and drinks for hours. Instead, try to consume them within a reasonable time frame.