Treat cavities early, pain-free, with microscope precision, in Sibiu
Tooth decay is the most common dental problem, in adults and children alike, but caught early, it is fixed simply, in a single visit, with a filling that blends invisibly into your natural tooth. At Infinite Smile, the operating microscope lets your dentist see every detail of the tooth, essential for an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.
- Operating microscope, the dentist sees details of the tooth invisible to the naked eye
- Tooth-colored fillings in light-cured composite that match your natural shade
- Local anesthetic, you feel no pain during treatment
- In-house X-rays, hidden cavities are detected on the spot
What restorative dentistry is and how it helps you
Restorative dentistry (odontotherapy) is the branch of dental medicine that treats carious lesions, tooth decay, and all the damage they cause. In practice, it is everyday general dentistry: the check-up, cavity detection, fillings, and the treatments that stop a small problem before it becomes a big one.
Cavities are the most common dental condition and affect adults and children alike. Left untreated, decay attacks the enamel and can lead to a range of complications: pain, infection of the nerve, even loss of the tooth. The good news is that a cavity discovered early is treated quickly, painlessly and at low cost.
Through restorative treatment, the dentist repairs the tooth and restores its natural appearance, avoiding the pain, cost and lengthy appointments that would follow if the lesion were allowed to progress. At Infinite Smile, the dentist uses an operating microscope to see every detail of the tooth and its interior, which is essential for both diagnosis and treatment.
What tooth decay is and how it progresses
A cavity does not appear overnight. Bacteria in dental plaque feed on the sugars in your diet and produce acids that attack the enamel, the hard, protective outer layer of the tooth. At first there is only a whitish spot; then the enamel demineralises and gives way: a cavity forms.
Once past the enamel, the process speeds up, because dentine, the layer beneath, is softer. This is usually when the first signs appear: sensitivity to cold, to sweets or to chewing. If the cavity is still not treated, bacteria reach the dental pulp (the nerve of the tooth) and the pain becomes intense, from that point on a filling is no longer enough, and root canal treatment is needed.
That is why timing matters so much: the same cavity that can be fixed today with a simple filling may mean, a few months later, a root canal and a crown, more appointments and costs several times higher.
Signs you may have a cavity
Many cavities cause no pain at all in the early stages, even if a cavity is not constantly painful or sensitive, it can flare up with certain foods or drinks and keeps advancing silently. Here are the signals worth watching for:
- Sensitivity to cold, heat or sweets in one particular tooth
- A brief twinge when chewing or when something touches the tooth
- A whitish, brown or black spot visible on the surface of the tooth
- A hole you can feel with your tongue, or one that traps food
- Dental floss that snags or shreds in the same place every time
- Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste despite brushing
- An old filling that has fallen out, fractured or developed stained margins
Why you should not put off treating a cavity
Although in principle entirely preventable, cavities remain a common dental problem: most people have at least one cavity by the age of 20, and many of them need fillings. The procedure is relatively simple and painless, but it helps to know what to expect and, above all, not to delay it.
The complications of untreated decay lie behind most complex dental conditions. A cavity left to progress can lead to inflammation and infection of the nerve, an abscess, fracture of the weakened tooth, or loss of the tooth altogether, and a missing tooth in turn causes neighbouring teeth to drift and creates chewing problems.
The rule of thumb is simple: the earlier a cavity is found and treated, the shorter, cheaper and more comfortable the treatment, and the more of your natural tooth is preserved. A small 200 lei filling done in time can spare you a root canal and a crown later on.
The dental filling: how we repair your tooth
The filling is the standard treatment for a cavity: the dentist removes all of the decayed tissue, cleans and prepares the cavity, then fills it with a material that restores the tooth's shape, function and appearance.
At Infinite Smile, fillings are made of light-cured composite, a modern, tooth-colored material applied in layers and hardened under a special curing lamp. The result is a truly aesthetic restoration: once polished, the filling blends into the tooth and is virtually indistinguishable from natural enamel. The price depends on the size of the cavity, a small filling starts at 200 lei, while a front-tooth filling, where the aesthetic demands are highest, costs 300 lei.
When the decay is deep and reaches close to the nerve, the dentist may place a protective pulp cap, a liner that helps the dental pulp heal and improves the chances of the tooth staying vital, without root canal treatment. And if treatment requires several visits, the tooth is protected between appointments with a temporary filling.
The dentist diagnoses the cavity and determines whether a filling is needed through a dental examination: combining visual inspection with an X-ray, they can decide on the best course of action. If a filling is recommended, your treatment options, and the exact cost, are explained to you before anything begins.
The operating microscope: precision in diagnosis and treatment
Cavities often start in hard-to-see places: between the teeth, in the deep grooves of the molars, under the edges of old fillings. Using the operating microscope, the dentist can see every detail of the tooth and its interior, essential for both diagnosis and treatment.
In practice, the magnification and direct illumination of the working field allow the dentist to distinguish decayed tissue from healthy tissue precisely: the decay is removed completely, and only the minimum necessary healthy tooth structure is sacrificed. The same precision matters when fitting the filling, sealed margins mean a filling that lasts and under which decay does not return.
Diagnosis is also supported by X-rays taken right in the clinic: a small (periapical) X-ray reveals cavities hidden between teeth or under existing fillings that the eye cannot see. You do not need to go anywhere else for imaging, everything happens in the same visit.
Prevention: sealants, fluoride and good habits
Alongside treatment, the clinic team places strong emphasis on preventive care. Fissure sealing covers the deep grooves of the molars, the favourite hiding place of cavities, especially in children and teenagers, with a protective layer, while professional fluoride treatment strengthens the enamel and makes it more resistant to bacterial acid attack. Both are quick, completely painless procedures and far cheaper than any filling.
Patient education, the best insurance for your teeth
Beyond preventive dental services, our team focuses on patient education as a means of prevention. Patients who are well informed about their oral health are more likely to keep up good hygiene at home. We recommend flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day, ideally after meals.
Diet is another important part of dental health: the foods you eat contribute to the bacterial plaque that can lead to tooth damage and gum disease. We advise patients to avoid foods high in processed sugars and to opt for a balanced diet with whole grains, fruit and vegetables.
Finally, we educate our patients about the preventive measures suited to their specific needs. For example, a child who plays sport can benefit from a custom mouthguard that protects against broken teeth, while someone with bruxism (teeth grinding) may need a custom night guard.
What you feel during and after a filling
No, a filling does not hurt: the dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb the area, so you feel no pain during treatment. The anesthetic usually remains noticeable for an hour or two after the appointment; some patients feel numb for up to three or four hours. Until the numbness wears off, you may have slight difficulty chewing, speaking or smiling, it passes on its own.
After a filling, some discomfort or sensitivity may last a day or two, easy to manage, if needed, with an ordinary over-the-counter pain reliever. Sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks can linger a little longer and gradually fades. If, however, the pain increases rather than fades, or the filling feels “too high” when you bite, contact the clinic, a small adjustment usually solves the problem.
How a cavity is treated, step by step
A typical cavity is treated in a single visit, from consultation to the finished, polished filling.
- 1
Consultation and examination
The dentist examines all your teeth, not just the one that brought you in. Visual inspection, aided by the operating microscope, also reveals early lesions that are not yet painful.
- 2
X-ray, if needed
For cavities hidden between teeth or under old fillings, the dentist takes an X-ray right in the clinic. It shows exactly how far the lesion extends.
- 3
Treatment plan and exact cost
You receive the diagnosis and your treatment options, with the price of each procedure, before anything begins. No surprises at the end.
- 4
Local anesthetic
The area is fully numbed, and treatment starts only once the anesthetic has taken effect. You feel no pain during the procedure.
- 5
Removing the decayed tissue
The dentist cleans out all the affected tissue while preserving as much healthy tooth as possible. If the lesion is deep, a protective pulp cap is placed to shield the nerve.
- 6
Placing the composite filling
The light-cured material, chosen to match your tooth's color, is applied in successive layers and hardened under the curing lamp, layer by layer.
- 7
Shaping and polishing
The dentist sculpts the filling to the natural shape of your tooth, checks your bite and polishes it smooth. The tooth looks and works just as it did before the cavity.
- 8
Advice and follow-up
You receive care instructions and, if needed, a prevention plan, sealants, fluoride, regular check-ups, so your next visit is just a routine one.
How much cavity treatment costs
- Dental consultation
- 100 lei
- Small light-cured composite filling
- 200 lei
- Medium light-cured composite filling
- 220 lei
- Large light-cured composite filling (full crown surface)
- 250 lei
- Front-tooth light-cured composite filling
- 300 lei
- Temporary filling
- 50 lei
- Pulp capping, direct or indirect
- 100 lei
- Treatment of dentine hypersensitivity (per tooth)
- 70 lei
- Fissure sealing
- 110 lei
- Fluoride gel treatment (per tooth)
- 30 lei
- Periapical X-ray (diagnostic)
- 30 lei
The price of a filling depends on the size of the cavity, the dentist tells you the exact cost after the consultation, before treatment begins.
Take the first step toward a healthy smile
From 200 lei (RON), light-cured composite filling
Frequently asked questions
Does getting a filling hurt?
No. The dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb the area, so you feel no pain. There may be some discomfort and sensitivity for a day or two after the filling, but this is easy to manage, if needed, with over-the-counter pain medication.
How long does the numbness last after a filling?
The effect of the local anesthetic usually lasts just an hour or two. Some patients feel numb for up to three or four hours. Until the numbness wears off, you may have slight difficulty chewing, speaking and smiling, this is normal and passes on its own.
How long should a tooth hurt after a filling?
Discomfort after a filling should be minimal and last only a day or two. You may have some sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks for a little longer, it fades gradually. If the pain increases instead of easing, contact the clinic.
How long does a filling last?
It depends on the type of filling, its size and how well it is cared for, proper brushing and regular check-ups greatly extend its life. If you do unexpectedly lose a filling, contact your dentist to have the tooth repaired as soon as possible.
How much does a filling cost at Infinite Smile?
Light-cured composite fillings cost between 200 and 300 lei, depending on the size of the cavity and the position of the tooth: 200 lei for a small filling, 220 lei for a medium one, 250 lei for a large (full crown surface) one and 300 lei for a front-tooth filling. The consultation costs 100 lei, and you know the exact cost of treatment before it begins.
Do I really need a filling if the tooth doesn't hurt?
Yes. Even if a cavity causes no constant pain or sensitivity, it can flare up with certain foods or drinks and keeps advancing. If you postpone the filling, the decay can reach the nerve of the tooth, and then a filling is no longer enough; you need root canal treatment, which takes longer and costs more.
What happens if I don't treat a cavity?
A cavity does not heal on its own and does not stop progressing. Untreated, it passes from the enamel into the dentine, then reaches the dental pulp (nerve), where it causes inflammation, intense pain and infection, sometimes an abscess. The complications of decay lie behind most complex dental conditions, so treatment done in time is always the simplest and the cheapest.
Can I eat after a filling?
Yes. Light-cured composite hardens completely during the appointment, under the curing lamp. The only real precaution is the anesthetic: until full sensation returns, chew carefully so you don't accidentally bite your cheek or tongue.
How do I know if I have cavities if I feel nothing?
Many cavities are only discovered at a routine check-up, because in the early stages they don't hurt. The dentist detects them by examination, at Infinite Smile, with the help of the operating microscope, and, where needed, with an X-ray taken in the clinic, which also reveals cavities hidden between the teeth. That is why regular check-ups matter so much.
How can I prevent cavities?
Floss daily and brush at least twice a day, ideally after meals. Avoid foods high in processed sugars and opt for a balanced diet with whole grains, fruit and vegetables. At the clinic, fissure sealing and professional fluoride treatment provide extra protection, especially for children and teenagers.
What is pulp capping and when is it needed?
Pulp capping is a protective layer the dentist applies to the floor of a deep cavity, close to the nerve, before placing the filling. It helps the dental pulp heal and increases the chances of the tooth staying vital, that is, being saved without root canal treatment.
General Dentistry in Sibiu, Romania
You will find the Infinite Smile clinic at Str. Dorului 11 in Sibiu, open Monday to Friday, with X-rays taken in-house. Book online or give us a call.
Infinite Smile · Str. Dorului nr. 11, Sibiu 550352 · 0369 409 116
Monday – Thursday: 08:00 – 20:00 · Friday: 08:00 – 16:00
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Book a consultation at Infinite Smile Sibiu, smile and love with us.
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