A cavity, or caries, develops when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that attack your enamel, the hard outer layer of your tooth. Not every cavity needs to be filled immediately. We first assess the situation. If a filling is necessary, we only remove what really needs to be removed. We work with composite, a tooth-colored material. We no longer use amalgam.
Caries is the word for a cavity. It forms when bacteria in your mouth produce acids. These acids attack your enamel, layer by layer.
How quickly that happens varies from person to person. Your eating habits play a role, as do your saliva, brushing technique, and the shape of your teeth. That is why we look not only at the cavity, but at what is going on with you.
A dark spot is not always a cavity that needs to be treated immediately. We first assess the stage of development. That determines whether we provide guidance or treatment.
Initial lesion
Very early decalcification of the enamel
Often no filling yet. Brushing advice and re-examine at the check-up.
Active caries
A hole that persists
Treat to prevent further damage.
Stable caries
A process that has come to a standstill
Keep an eye on it. Sometimes no treatment is needed for years.
We call this active guidance. Checking in time and adjusting where possible. Good prevention prevents many cavities. You can read more about this at prevention and oral hygiene.
Is the caries too advanced to stop brushing and prevention? Then we fill it. We remove the affected tissue and restore the tooth.
As conservative as possible. We only remove what really needs to be removed. This way, as much of your own tooth as possible remains.
We work with composite. This is a tooth-colored material that we apply in layers and cure with blue light. It is strong and inconspicuous. We no longer use amalgam, the gray fillings of the past.
Is the defect major? Then we will discuss whether a inlay or onlay fits better. They are stronger than a large filling and yet more conservative than a crown.
For a deep filling, we provide good numbing. You will feel pressure, not pain. Still uncomfortable? Raise your hand. We will stop and apply more numbing where necessary.
We don't promise you won't notice anything at all. But we do promise that we will take our time and listen to you. Are you afraid of the dentist? Tell us. We will adjust our pace. Read more about how we do this at anxiety counseling.
For a deep filling, we always provide good numbing. You will feel pressure, not pain. We do not promise that you won't feel anything at all, but we do promise that you can let us know. Raise your hand, and we will stop. If you do feel something during the treatment, we will apply more numbing.
We usually place a single filling in one appointment. The exact duration depends on the size and location of the cavity. We prefer to take a little more time rather than too little, so that it can be done carefully. There is no need to rush.
Composite is a tooth-colored material that we build up in layers and cure with blue light. It is sturdy and inconspicuous. We have not placed amalgam, the gray fillings of the past, for years. We make no claims regarding detoxification or whether metal causes illness. Composite is simply the standard with us.
A very early cavity, the beginning of enamel decalcification, can sometimes stop or heal with proper care. In such cases, we often opt for brushing advice and a follow-up check during the examination, rather than drilling immediately. If the caries is more advanced, a filling is necessary to prevent damage.
A filling falls under regular dental care. The rates applicable to this are those that the NZa determines annually. What you pay exactly depends on the size of the filling and the number of panels. You can find the current rates on our rates page.
Written and medically reviewed by Naouel Alberga, dentist and owner of Naiida Tandartsen.
