Dental Fillings And Inlays
Dental cavity solutions

Dental fillings are used to make small repairs to teeth that have been damaged due to tooth decay or fracture. They are normally relatively simple and inexpensive. For this reason very few (if any) people travel abroad for fillings.

However, fillings are often necessary as part of larger work, or the dentist may discover  they are necessary and it often make sense to get  fillings  done at the same time as other work.

You can browse a list of clinics that provide filiings and inlays here on RevaHealth.com. If you need any help deciding which clinic to choose, just ask us for help.

What is a Dental Filling or Inlay?

A filling is simply a material that is placed into a cavity in a tooth. The filling helps to protect against further decay and strengthens the tooth.
You might need a filling if:

• There is minor decay or a tooth
• You  have a small fracture in a tooth
• If you have a metal/amalgam filling that you want replaced with more natural looking filling
• Composite filling are often used for purely cosmetic purposes in cosmetic bonding

Things to look out for are

• Composite fillings are more expensive that amalgams
• Not all dentists are trained in composite fillings
• Amalgam filling contain mercury which is released to the atmosphere after death (if incinerated)
• There are some, although unproven long term  health concerns associated with amalgam fillings

What is the procedure like?

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Once the dentist has isolated and anesthetised the damaged area of the tooth, he will remove the decay with a drill or laser and cleanse the area of bacteria. The resulting cavity is roughed so that the resin will bond. It is then filled with an amalgam, composite or porcelain filling. In the case of composite fillings, the resin is applied in layers and hardened with a special light. Once the final layers have been applied the filling will be adjusted and polished.

What different types exist?

Amalgam – These are commonly referred to as metal fillings and can be quite visible. They contain mercury and although there have been ongoing questions about their long term safety there is no proof that they are a health hazard. However, it is becoming common for amalgam fillings to be replaced by composite fillings. Amalgam fillings have a lifespan of roughly 12 years

Composite/PorcelainComposite fillings can be made to match the coloration of your teeth. They are most costly and require specialized equipment and take longer to do.  More of the natural tooth can be preserved with composite fillings as the resin can be bonded in thin layers. Note that not all dentists can perform composite fillings.  Composite fillings have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years.

Inlays – If a large portion of you tooth is missing but a crown is not required then an inlay might be a good option.  An inlay involves a fabricated filling that is inserted between the cusps of a tooth – they can be made of gold, porcelain or resin. Inlays are considerably more expensive than fillings; however they are normally a replacement for a crown rather than a filling.

What affects the price?

• The dentist selected
• The position of the filling
• The number of tooth surfaces the filling has
• The number of fillings required
• The type of fillings and in the case of inlays the material used

Price Comparison (Amalgam)

Price lists should always be viewed with caution as many factors can increase or decrease the resulting price. The follow table gives some indicative costs for fillings across the world. Composite fillings tend to be twice the price of amalgam.

Dentists in Spain
Save yourself up to 70% on cosmetic dentistry in Spain

Spain makes a compelling dental travel destination: The harmonisation of qualifications and equipment standards across Europe allows patients to compare treatments on a price basis while being assured of quality.

A large number of destinations are available from the less explored natural beauty of the north to the bustle of the southern resort towns. Spain's islands, including Tenerife, offer other enticing destinations for high quality dental care.

Our three most popular dental clinics are:

Benefits of travelling to Spain

Spain is one of the world's most mature tourism destinations. A large number of regional airports and a good system of internal transport links allow easy travel to all areas of this diverse country. Large numbers of visitors as well as a substantial expatriate community, particularly along the Costa del Sol, mean travellers enter a country well used to dealing with their needs. A lower cost base in rent and staff fees allow Spainish dentists to offer substantial savings for most dental procedures over their Northern European counterparts.

Dentists in Spain - Prices

The following price guide indicates estimated cost of Dentistry in Spain. Please note that this is a guide only and you should always check with your dentist directly.

*Exchange rates from 08/2007

Dentists in Spain - Qualifications

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Dental training lasts 5 years. Currently, 10 public and 4 private Colleges produce about 900 dental graduates each year. The quality of training and verification of degrees is overseen by the Ministry of Health.

There is no compulary requirement at present though a system of monitoring skills development and training is currently in development. Currently, many courses and degrees are available and a commitement to furthering of skills and updating of procedures is a central tenant of the Consejo General's code of practice for it's dentists (accounting for over 90% of dentist's in Spain).

Dentists from other EU nations may practice in Spain without any linguistic examination - allowing for instance English dentists to open practices catering to expat communities without having to master the Spanish language.

Dentists in Spain - Additional Information

Organizations

Consejo General de Colegios de Odontólogos y Estomatólogos de España (Spanish Dental Association) has a membership accounting for over 90% of Spanish dentists. It maintains an up to date register of all dentists qualified to practice in Spain.

Dental Ethics

The Dental Association regulates its members and publishes a code of ethics. This emphaises the dentist's obligation to the health and welfare of their patients and their own commitment to continuing training and perfection of their skills.

Complaints

Initial complaints of an ordinary nature should be refered to the Regional Colegio or Municipal Consumer Offices. Etiher party may appeal decisions or progress to civil authorites if disputes are not resolved. Severe disiplinary decisions such as removal from the register of dentist were previously rare but recently a more hardline approach to serious incidents has lead to an increase in harsher punishments.

Data Protection

Patient records are protected by a number of statuets and are in line with EU legislation. A dedicated agency, the Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD), oversees data protection in Spain. The digital processing of patient data must be registered with AEPD and the agency will ensure that proper safety procedures are in place to protect the data. Details are available on the Spanish Dental Association's website.

Resources

Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health: Pº Prado, 18-20.
28071-Madrid
phone: 901400100
fax: 34-91-596.44.80
website: Website:www.msc.es

Spainish Dental Association
website: http://www.consejodentistas.org/ (in Spainish)

Data Protection
http://www.consejodentistas.org/codigotipo.pdf (in Spainish)

Council of Euopean Dentists
CED/DLC Code of Ethics (Word Doc)