Ceramic filling as an alternative

In addition to the alternatives mentioned above, such as amalgam or composite, a filling can also be made with ceramic. This is not a filling, but a ceramic inlay, which can also be made of gold. Ceramic has the advantage that it is extremely durable and has a color similar to teeth, so that often no difference between tooth and inlay can be seen.

The ceramic powder is mixed and pressed into a mould, which corresponds to the later hole to be filled. When the dentist holds the finished ceramic inlay in his hand, he only has to glue it into the tooth. Even larger defects in the tooth can be repaired with this method.

Modern ceramics have a long durability and can be gently inserted into the tooth. Since glass ionomer cements are only a temporary solution and have some disadvantages, a restoration with ceramics is the better choice, especially in the posterior region, since the ceramics can absorb the large chewing force well. The manufacturing process is more complex and the costs are therefore quite high and have to be paid privately. Depending on the extent of the destroyed tooth substance, costs of between 400 – 700 € can arise.

Gold filling as an alternative

Another alternative is an inlay or gold inlay filling. This is not pure gold, as this would be much too soft, but a gold alloy with other, more stable metals. Here too, the inlay has to be prepared in the laboratory beforehand and is then cemented in by the dentist under relative dryness.

Gold has the advantage that it can be made very precisely and accurately fitting and thus fills the given space perfectly. It can withstand heavy loads and still performs well after more than 15 years. However, the disadvantage is the color and the time-consuming manufacturing process, with which private costs in the range of 400 – 650€ are incurred.

Pain after filling teeth with cement

Basically, pain can occur after placing a filling. These are independent of the material that is placed in the cavity. The tooth is irritated during the treatment by the abrasives and cold water.

Depending on how deep the caries is, a lot of protective dentine mass is removed, leaving little protection over the pulp, the tooth chamber. The dental nerve is also severely irritated, which causes pain after the treatment as soon as the anaesthetic syringe wears off. Irritations occur particularly with cements, since the liquid of the 2-component cement contains tartaric acid and polycarboxylic acids, among other things. Therefore, the cement has a relatively low pH value. In its fresh state, it constantly releases acid to the tooth, which causes pain in the area of this tooth.