All 25 Clinics that provide Fillings in Carlow County

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.

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?

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.

A guide to dentistry in Ireland

Ireland's economy has experienced a breathless rise from Western Europe's poorest nation to the top of the world's wealth indicators. Over 30 years of E.U. membership has helped shape Ireland's health system into a modern and highly regulated model of good practice.

Interest from Irish patients have increased substantially for dentistry in neighbouring Northern Ireland where dental treatments cost less than in the Republic.

Benefits of Irish Dentistry

Regular checkups are a vital part of good oral healthcare and a local dentist is by far the best choice. A trusting relationship with your local dentist has immense benefits: Dental emergencies can be dealt with by a healthcare professional who knows your medical history inside out. Even for more expensive treatments the value of this close working knowledge can far outweigh price considerations, ensuring an ongoing beneficial, oral regimen.

Dentists in Ireland - Qualifications

Ireland has 2 dental colleges with an addtional college offering specialty training. The course is 5 years, followed by 1 year of vocational training. Successful graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Dental Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Science.

There are two recognized specialties: Oral surgery and Orthodontics.

There is no mandatory continuing education but its practice is strongly recommended by all professional associations and the Dental Council. Courses in Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontics and Oral Surgery are among the continuing education options available in the country's dental schools.

Dentists in Ireland - Additional Information

Organizations

The Dental Council is the statuatory organization responsible for dentistry in Ireland. It oversees the standard of dental education and dentistry in general. The Council holds a registry of all those permitted to perform dentistry within the state: Registration is mandatory.

There are a number of professional associations covering the dental sector workers. Over 80% of Ireland's dentists are members of the Irish Dental Association. The association in its present form is over 80 years old and with its historic beginnings in the British Dental Assocation is one of the worlds oldest established dental associations.

Dental Ethics

Irish dentists are required by the 1985 Dental Act to: Safeguard the health of patients; promote oral health within the population and maintain the highest ethical standards with the profession. To these ends dentists must not overcharge, recommend unnessecary or damaging proceedures, create false expectation or in any way mislead their patients.

The ethical guidelines follow and expand upon those issued by the Council of Euopean Dentists, which define the core ethical values of European dentistry.

Complaints

The Dental Council has the power to deal with complaints against registered dentists. It can issue warnings, fines, suspend or remove a dentist from the dental register. Patients may also take direct action through the civil courts.

Data Protection

Ireland has a Data Protection Commissioner and a number of acts covering the protection and accessibility of personal data. A comprehensive website gives all information relative to data protection - see the resources section below.

Dentists in Ireland:

Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Dundalk, Drogheda, Bray

Resources

The Dental Council
7 Merrion Square,
Dublin 2,
Dublin,
Ireland.
tel: +353 1 676 2069
fax: +353 1 676 2076
email: info@dentalcouncil.ie
website: www.dentalcouncil.ie
ethical code: www.dentalcouncil.ie/g_dentalethics.php

Irish Dental Association
Irish Dental Association Ltd.
Unit 2, Leopardstown Office Park
Sandyford,
Dublin 18,
Ireland.
tel: +353 1 295 0072
fax: +353 1 295 0092
email: info@irishdentalassoc.ie
website: www.dentist.ie

Data Data Protection Commissioner
Canal House,
Station Road,
Portarlington,
Co. Laois,
Ireland.
tel: 1890 252 231 (lo call - inside Ireland only), +353 57 868 4800 (for outside Ireland)
fax: +353 57 868 4757
email: info@dataprotection.ie
website: www.dataprotection.ie

The biggest choice of fillings clinics in Carlow County with Prices, Patient Reviews, Maps. Everything you need to find the best fillings for you in Carlow County.