Tooth decay is the most common disease in the world. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth break down carbohydrates and produce acid that dissolves the minerals in enamel. The process starts invisibly and runs for years without pain — pain only appears once the damage reaches the nerve.
Stages of decay and what treatment costs
- Early decay (white spot). Enamel is demineralised but there is no cavity yet. Treatable with fluoride — preventive procedure up to 4 teeth €15. No drilling needed.
- Enamel decay. A small cavity in the enamel. A small filling, from €60–65.
- Dentine decay. The damage reaches the softer dentine and spreads faster. Medium or large filling €70–85.
- Pulpitis. Bacteria reach the nerve and pain appears. A filling is no longer enough; root canal treatment is needed: €125–205 depending on the tooth, plus canal filling and restoration.
The difference is clear: decay caught in time costs €65; the same tooth a couple of years later, €400–600.
Filling prices in Tallinn
- Single-surface light-cured composite filling — from €65
- Two- or three-surface composite filling — from €75
- Glass ionomer: small €60, medium €70, large €85
- Temporary filling — €25
- Removing an old filling — €15
- Polishing a filling — €5–10
- Each further injected anaesthetic — €12
Composite or glass ionomer
- Composite is a tooth-coloured resin cured with light. Durable, good aesthetics, suitable for both front and back teeth. The default choice for most fillings.
- Glass ionomer releases fluoride and bonds chemically to tooth tissue. Softer and less aesthetic, but good for children, at the tooth necks and as a temporary solution.
How a filling is placed
- Anaesthetic if the damage is deep.
- Removal of damaged tissue — the aim is to preserve as much healthy tooth as possible.
- Isolating the tooth and preparing the surface.
- Placing the composite in layers, each cured with light.
- Checking the bite and polishing.
Why decay comes back under a filling
The most common reason for repeat treatment is secondary decay, which forms at the margin between filling and tooth if plaque collects there. A filling does not protect the tooth; it needs the same care as a natural one. The spaces between the teeth are exactly where filling margins most often sit and where a brush does not reach — so floss or an interdental brush matters especially when you have fillings.
How to prevent decay
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, last thing at night.
- Clean between the teeth every day.
- How often you eat sugar matters more than how much — each exposure triggers an acid attack lasting about 30 minutes.
- An annual check-up: on a radiograph, decay between the teeth is visible long before it causes pain.
Book an examination at Unidenta in Tallinn — a first consultation with diagnostic imaging costs €30.