Treating Tooth Decay in Łódź Is Simpler Before It Hurts

Tooth decay rarely hurts early on, which is exactly why it gets missed. Plaque bacteria turn sugar into acids, and the acids slowly dissolve enamel, then dentine. At iDenta, tooth decay treatment in Łódź starts with an examination. We take an X-ray when it is needed, because cavities between teeth are often invisible to the eye.

A cavity will not heal on its own. It only grows until it reaches the nerve. A small filling is usually one short visit. Once decay reaches the pulp, you need root canal treatment, which takes longer and costs more.

Stages of tooth decay

• Early decay (white spot). A chalky patch on the enamel with no hole yet. Remineralisation and fluoride are sometimes enough, with no drilling.
• Enamel decay. A dark dot or rough spot in a groove. Usually painless.
• Dentine decay. Bacteria are in the dentine now, and the tooth reacts briefly to cold and sweet things.
• Deep decay. The pulp is close. Pain is stronger but fades once the trigger is gone.
• Pulpitis. The tooth aches on its own, often at night. A filling alone will not do at this stage.

Tooth decay treatment in Łódź and filling prices

The price depends mostly on how deep the cavity is. Figures come from our price list, and the dentist confirms the scope after the examination. Anaesthetic and rubber dam are listed separately.

Early decay vs deep decay

With early decay the cavity is shallow. The dentist removes the affected enamel and dentine and fills the space with composite. Anaesthetic is often unnecessary, as the nerve is far away. A white spot with no hole can sometimes be remineralised with fluoride and calcium products.

Deep decay comes close to the pulp, so treatment is always done under anaesthetic. The dentist places a protective liner on the cavity floor to shield the nerve and builds the filling on top. This visit takes longer, usually up to 90 minutes. If bacteria have already reached the pulp, you will need root canal treatment.

Anaesthetic and rubber dam

Before the injection we apply numbing gel to the gum and use a thin needle. Most patients barely feel it. A rubber dam is a thin latex sheet stretched over the tooth. It keeps saliva and moisture off, so the filling bonds better. There is a nitrile version for people with a latex allergy.

Light-cured fillings

We match the composite to your tooth colour. It goes on in layers, and each layer is hardened with a curing light. Finally the dentist checks your bite and polishes the filling. For front teeth, where looks matter more, we do front tooth restoration (from 450 zł) or artistic restoration (from 500 zł).

iDenta dentist's tip: A light-cured filling is hard straight away, so you can eat as soon as the anaesthetic wears off. At that point, close your teeth together a few times and check they meet as usual. If the filling feels high, come back for a quick adjustment. A high filling can hurt when you bite, and patients often mistake that for a complication.

How long does a filling last?

A well-placed composite filling usually lasts many years, roughly 7–10, and sometimes longer with good hygiene. Nobody can honestly give one figure for every tooth, though. It depends on the size of the cavity and the tooth's position (molars work hardest), as well as your bite and any clenching. Fillings do not like nuts or hard sweets, a common cause of chips. The dentist checks the edges at check-ups, because a leaking filling can hide secondary decay.

Daily habits and prevention

The cheapest treatment is the one you never need. At home, a few simple things help:

• fluoride toothpaste twice a day, for two minutes;
• floss or interdental brushes, since many cavities start between teeth;
• water instead of sweet drinks between meals;
• a dental check-up every six months.

iDenta dentist's tip: Patients often ask us how much sugar is too much. For your teeth, how often matters more than how much. Sweetened coffee sipped all morning, or boiled sweets, do more harm than a dessert eaten straight after lunch.

The grooves on molar chewing surfaces are hard to reach with a brush. Fissure sealing fills them with a liquid sealant, with no drilling and no pain. It takes about 15–20 minutes, costs from 150 zł, and we do it for children and adults.

Tartar and plaque are where decay-causing bacteria live, so they need removing at the clinic now and then. How often is covered in our article on professional teeth cleaning. At iDenta cleaning costs from 250 zł, and all our services are in the dental treatment section.