A filling replaces the part of a tooth destroyed by decay or a fracture and seals the tooth before the decay reaches the nerve. A composite filling is tooth-coloured, is placed in a single visit in 30–60 minutes and lasts 5–10 years.
Who it is for
- Decay that has broken through the enamel and can no longer be stopped by brushing. At an early stage, when only the enamel is affected, fluoride treatment and monitoring are sometimes enough.
- A chipped corner of a tooth or a minor fracture.
- Replacing an old (grey) amalgam filling that leaks at the margin, is cracked or is cosmetically disturbing.
- Wedge-shaped defects at the neck of the tooth that cause sensitivity.
- Not enough when more than about half of the crown of the tooth is destroyed, or when the tooth aches on its own or at night. In the first case the tooth needs an inlay or a crown, in the second a root canal treatment first.
- We do not replace sound amalgam fillings without problems just for the sake of replacing them; replacement makes sense when the filling leaks, cracks or you want a cosmetic solution.
How it works
- Examination and imaging: decay between the teeth is often invisible to the eye, so if needed we take a small X-ray (25–80 €). If this is your first visit, the examination is part of the first visit (50 € with a panoramic X-ray).
- Anaesthesia: not always needed for shallow decay; for deeper decay the tooth is numbed so you feel nothing of the drilling.
- Removing the decay and the old filling, if needed under a rubber dam, a sheet that keeps the tooth dry and separated from saliva. A dry working field is decisive for how long composite lasts.
- The filling: composite is applied in thin layers and each layer is light-cured. For deep decay close to the nerve we first place a protective liner.
- Shaping the bite and polishing. Altogether 30–60 minutes per tooth; several fillings at once take longer. You leave with a finished filling, no second visit.
Price
| Service | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Composite filling | 80–130 € / tooth | Anaesthesia, removal of decay or the old filling, tooth-coloured composite, polishing |
| Dental X-ray | 25–80 € | Image to detect decay between teeth and under old fillings |
| Root canal treatment | 120 € / canal | If the decay has already reached the nerve |
| Ceramic crown | 250–390 € | When not enough tooth is left for a filling |
The price depends on the size of the filling and the number of tooth surfaces: a small one-surface filling is around 80 €, a large filling across three surfaces with a rebuilt corner around 130 €. The written treatment plan with the final price is prepared at the first visit (50 € with a panoramic X-ray, 80 € with 3D CBCT). Services are self-paid; part of dental costs may qualify for tax relief, but check the current rules of the Slovenian tax authority FURS or of your home country.
After the treatment
Composite is hard immediately. You can eat once the anaesthesia wears off, after 1–2 hours, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. Sensitivity to cold or pressure in the first few days is normal; if it does not settle after two weeks, or if the tooth hurts when you bite, come in, often the filling only needs to be lowered by a tenth of a millimetre. Clean the filling like your other teeth; floss should glide smoothly along its margin. A composite filling lasts 5–10 years, often longer on front teeth, less on large molars with a heavy bite. At the annual check-up we check the margins; a worn margin can be repaired without replacing the whole filling.
Why Koderman
- We treat the tooth in the right order: a filling when it is enough, a crown or root canal treatment when that is more honest to the tooth, without pushing more expensive procedures.
- Low-dose digital X-ray, so we catch decay between the teeth while the filling is still small and cheap.
- One clinic for everything that may follow: if the tooth needs a root canal, a crown or an implant, you stay with the same doctor.
- No waiting lists, an appointment usually within 7–14 days, sooner if you are in pain.
- We speak Slovenian, German, English and Croatian.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a filling cost?
80–130 € per tooth, depending on size. If an X-ray is needed, add 25–80 €. You know the exact price before we start.
Does a filling hurt?
Not during the procedure, because the tooth is numbed; the anaesthesia is the same as for an extraction. Some sensitivity to cold for a few days afterwards is normal; pain that would need tablets is rare.
How long does it take?
One filling 30–60 minutes. Two or three fillings in the same quadrant of the jaw are often done in the same visit, with one anaesthetic.
Composite or amalgam?
In our clinic we place composite only. It is tooth-coloured, requires less removal of healthy tooth substance and bonds to the tooth. Amalgam is mechanically tough, but the tooth under it often cracks over the years; since 2025 the use of amalgam in the EU is in any case allowed only in exceptional cases.
When is a filling no longer enough?
When more than about half of the crown is missing, when the tooth is brittle after root canal treatment, or when the filling on the same tooth breaks for the third time. A ceramic inlay or a crown then protects the tooth better. If the decay has already reached the nerve, root canal treatment comes first.
Does insurance cover a filling?
Not with us, as we are not a contracted provider of the Slovenian health insurance ZZZS. The service is self-paid, with no waiting and the material of your choice; whether your insurer at home reimburses part of it is best checked in advance with our written estimate.
