Composite Filling

A composite filling is the conservative treatment that repairs decay or replaces an old amalgam filling with an aesthetic material of the same colour as the tooth. In our Tirana clinics it is carried out by European trained doctors who speak Italian and English, with latest generation composites, rubber dam isolation and adhesive techniques that preserve the maximum amount of healthy tooth.

What is a composite filling?

Composite is a resin reinforced with ceramic and glass particles, available in many shades to faithfully reproduce the colour of enamel and dentine. Unlike the grey amalgam of the past, composite bonds chemically to the tooth through an adhesive, so it does not require the cavity to be widened to hold it and it reinforces the remaining structure. It is applied in layers, each hardened with a blue light lamp, then shaped and polished until it is invisible.

When is it indicated?

A composite filling is indicated for small and medium decay, to replace grey, leaking or fractured fillings, to repair small chips and to close small enamel defects. When the cavity is very large and involves several walls of the tooth, the doctor may suggest a laboratory made ceramic inlay, which is stronger over time. The assessment takes place during the free consultation, with radiographs and photos, and is confirmed at the clinic.

How is the treatment carried out in our Tirana clinics?

After local anaesthesia, when needed, the tooth is isolated with a rubber dam to work in a dry, sterile field. The doctor removes the decayed tissue with rotary instruments and, in the deepest areas, with hand instruments that respect the pulp. The cavity is treated with the adhesive and filled with composite in layers, rebuilding the original anatomy of the tooth. Finally the doctor checks the bite and polishes the surface. Everything happens in a single session.

How long does it take?

A filling takes thirty to sixty minutes. Several fillings can be done in the same session or on consecutive days, and the treatment is often completed during a stay in Tirana dedicated to other care, for example professional cleaning, whitening or the preparation for prosthetic treatment. Right after the session you can eat, with a little care until the anaesthesia wears off.

What are the advantages?

Natural, invisible aesthetics, preservation of healthy tooth, no metal and no mercury, good resistance to chewing and the possibility of repairing the filling in the future without redoing it from scratch. Modern adhesive techniques reduce post operative sensitivity and extend the life of the restoration. Every filling in our clinics is covered by a written warranty.

How long does a composite filling last?

With good hygiene and periodic checkups a composite filling lasts on average seven to ten years, often longer. It is important to avoid biting hard objects, to floss every day and to have a hygiene session every six to twelve months. Checkups can also be done remotely with the doctor who treated you, by sending a photo or an radiograph.

How much does it cost?

We do not publish prices and we do not send quotes by email, because a price given without seeing the patient's mouth is not a quote but a promise that often changes once you are in the chair. The cost of the treatment is explained by our dental surgeon and implantologist, who speaks Italian and English, after your free consultation: online by video call or directly at the clinic in Tirana. You receive the treatment plan and the cost in writing, item by item, and from that moment they do not change. No surprises, no hidden costs, no salespeople: only a doctor who explains what you really need.