A filling is a restoration used to replace the damaged part of a tooth caused by decay or minor fracture, preventing further deterioration and restoring the tooth’s function. After removing the damaged tissue, the filling is precisely placed and secured, allowing the patient to resume normal activities immediately.
For patients with amalgam "black" fillings, we recommend replacing them with white fillings, even if they are in good condition. Replacement is done not only for aesthetic reasons but also for health concerns, since amalgam fillings cannot seal the tooth hermetically. Unlike white fillings, which bond both mechanically and chemically, amalgam fillings bond only mechanically.
Amalgam has been used as a dental filling material for many years. These "black fillings" can contain up to 50% mercury. Most people are unaware that due to mercury content, such fillings can be harmful to health. Mercury is a carcinogenic toxin dangerous to the immune system. Over time, mercury vapors can be released from amalgam fillings, and inhalation allows them to enter the bloodstream and reach all organs.
Inhaling mercury vapors can cause many diseases: cancer, gastritis, allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue, depression, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Crohn’s disease, and others.
As of January 1, 2025, the European Union has banned the use of dental amalgam.
The cost of white fillings depends on the size of the filling, the number of affected tooth surfaces, and the complexity of the procedure.
We distinguish between single-surface fillings, which cover only one top surface of the tooth including its bumps and pits.
Two-surface fillings cover the top surface and one proximal side adjacent to a neighboring tooth, while three-surface fillings cover the top and both proximal sides of the tooth.
In cases where the tooth crown is significantly damaged by decay, it may be necessary to reconstruct the entire crown with a filling.
Such procedures are called reconstructive fillings. Three-surface and reconstructive fillings are the most demanding types because they require additional precision and expertise to achieve optimal function and aesthetics.
Besides the type of filling, the cost also depends on the material used. Our dental practice uses only nano composites, high-quality materials containing nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm.
Nano composites provide exceptional strength, wear resistance, and perfect aesthetics, ensuring a long-lasting result.
Therefore, the price of white fillings depends on the type of filling (complexity of the procedure), the materials used by the clinic, the dentist’s expertise, and the techniques applied during treatment.
White fillings are partially covered by HZZO (Croatian Health Insurance Fund), but often require a co-payment.
The final cost depends on the complexity of the procedure, materials used, and the clinic’s price list, with patient expenses typically ranging from 20 to 60 euros.
Dental clinics are required to issue a fiscalized receipt for any co-payment amount.
Amalgam fillings, also known as “black fillings,” have been used for many years to treat cavities, especially in the back of the mouth where chewing forces are strongest. They are made from an alloy containing mercury combined with other metals such as silver, tin, and copper. Due to the mercury content—which is toxic—these fillings have been the subject of numerous scientific and regulatory debates.
As of January 1, 2025, the European Union has officially banned the use of dental amalgam in treatment, making amalgam fillings no longer an approved therapeutic option. The main reason is to protect patient health and the environment, as small amounts of mercury can be released over time, particularly during the placement and removal of fillings, as well as concerns about disposing of mercury-containing waste.
Besides health and environmental reasons, amalgam fillings have several functional drawbacks. Over time, they can cause microcracks in teeth due to different expansion rates of the material under thermal stress. They are also highly unattractive aesthetically because of their dark color. Unlike white fillings, amalgams do not chemically bond to the tooth but rely on mechanical retention, often requiring removal of more healthy tooth tissue.
For these reasons, modern dentistry relies on advanced materials—composites—that are biocompatible, aesthetically adaptable, and functionally more durable.
Cavities under a filling can develop when a small gap forms between the tooth and the filling, allowing plaque and bacteria to accumulate.
This often goes unnoticed because the tooth may look completely healthy from the outside, but over time it can cause pain, sensitivity, or greater tooth damage.
Such hidden cavities can be detected during a dental exam and often on a panoramic x-ray—especially if the lesions are larger or deeper.
At Centrodent, during every tartar removal, besides thoroughly polishing the teeth, we also polish all fillings to reduce plaque buildup along the filling edges and help prevent this type of cavity.
If your tooth hurts when you bite down — even months after getting a filling — the reason might be simple: the filling is too high.
Even a slight difference in height can throw off your bite. When one tooth makes contact before the others, it takes on too much pressure during chewing. This can lead to discomfort, sensitivity, or even inflammation of the tooth’s nerve over time.
