The ultimate guide to Fillings in Cartagena de Indias

Last fact-checked: 15 March 2020

Save money on your dental care by combining it with a well-earned vacation to South America. Dental fillings in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia are less than half the price you’ll pay at home. So, why not save some cash—and make sure your dental health stays in tip-top condition—simply by foregoing a few hours of your vacation?

You’d think that in this day-and-age our dental health care should be improving. However, the ongoing First World Dental Crisis proves that this is far from the case, with one in five Americans over the age of 65 not having any real teeth left. We’re all aware of how expensive some remedial dental procedures can be, like root canals, but the truth is that regular, preventive care and maintenance, like professional teeth cleaning and fillings, can stop small problems worsening and requiring more expensive treatments to put right.

So, if you are one of those people that have neglected your dental health for whatever reason—time, expense, lack of priority, then it might be time to finally put it right. And what better way of doing it while visiting an exciting new country where treatment costs a fraction of the price that your local dentist charges.

Why Are Dental Fillings So Beneficial to Dental Health?

Dental fillings are required when the tooth has been attacked by acid-producing bacteria. Bacteria are present in our mouth all the time, but eating sticky, sugary foods provides the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. More bacteria equals more acid production, which in turn erodes tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. This is why oral hygiene is so important. Brushing regularly helps to get rid of the harmful bacteria and removes the sticky deposits off the surface of the teeth, making it difficult for bacteria to collect.

This, however, isn’t the whole story. Bacteria also hide in crevices, particularly between teeth at the gumline. Brushing alone can’t get to some of these places, which is why flossing is recommended. If you don’t floss, then the acid plaque produced by the bacteria hardens to form tartar (the hard, yellow calcified deposits that you may find at the bottom of the teeth or on the backs). This stuff is a precursor to gum disease, where the soft tissues of the mouth and eventually the jaw bone becomes eroded, which is a leading cause of tooth loss.

Once the tooth has signs of decay, the tooth structure is then compromised. Eventually, bacteria will find their way to the center of the tooth (the pulp cavity) where the nerves and blood vessels are contained. Once this becomes infected, either a root canal or tooth extraction is the only course of action.

The moral of the story here? To prevent tooth decay, we all need to stick to regular check-ups at the dentist and not miss out on simple preventive measures, like fillings, to remove the decay and seal up the resulting cavity.

How Much Do Fillings Cost in Cartagena Compared to the United States or Canada?

Compare the price of fillings in Cartagena below with your home country:

Are the Dentists in Cartagena Reliable?

Absolutely. The training for dentists in Colombia is good and the dental clinics are modern so there is no need to worry that you will be receiving substandard care in Cartagena. However, there is one caveat: you do need to do a bit of homework first to ensure you get booked in with a reputable facility. Obviously, it’s not so easy to go by word of mouth when you are researching an unfamiliar location, but this is where Dental Departures can assist you.

We run background checks on all the verified clinics listed on our site. We look at legal and criminal records, carry out onsite visits and confirm dentist qualifications. Our site also publishes patient reviews, prices, clinic photos, maps and other information so you will have all the information you require to make an informed choice on both your clinic and dentist.

Popular clinics in Cartagena where you can find affordable dental fillings:

● Centro de Implantes de la Costa by Julio Oliver

● Sonrisa Perfecta Dental

What Materials Are Fillings Made From? Can I Get White Fillings in Cartagena?

White fillings are available at the dental clinics in Cartagena, which is something most people prefer these days. This is from a cosmetic point of view, as well as due to the health concerns that amalgam fillings have raised as a result of their mercury content. The FDA says they are safe, whereas some countries have banned the use of mercury amalgam as a dental filling.

How Long Will a Filling Take to Carry out?

Unless you are having a particularly large filling or show signs of infections, most fillings only take minutes to carry out. The dentist will first give your mouth a thorough check-up; if a filling is required, the area around the tooth in question will be numbed with local anesthetic. After the anesthetic takes effect (usually within a few minutes), the dentist begins to remove the decayed areas on the tooth. The cavity left behind (after the decay is removed) is cleaned and the filling applied. It usually requires another few minutes to set before the dentist can begin to shape the filling for it to feel comfortable.

Is a Filling Suitable to Have as a Dental Tourist?

Yes. A minor procedure like this, where little to no downtime is involved, can give you a better idea as to whether dental tourism is for you (especially if you are thinking about undergoing a major dental procedure in the future). Plus, a dental filling won’t impact on your holiday too much. The procedure takes around half an hour and you can get back to enjoying your vacation to the full the following day (after any effects of the anesthetic have fully worn off).

And what a fabulous location Cartagena is to enjoy. With its historic forts and monuments, cobbled streets and colonial houses you’ll soon forget all about your dental treatment as you wander through the pretty Old Town without a care in the world.

Booking Fillings in Cartagena

Dental Departures’ Customer Care Team is available round-the-clock if you’ve any questions about dental fillings in Cartagena or to fill you in with more information about dental tourism. You can also book your appointment online and take advantage of our Best Price Guarantee.

Sources:

Zak, Emily. The US Faces An Impending Dental Care Crisis. Care2. 31 March 2018.

https://www.care2.com/causes/the-us-faces-an-impending-dental-care-crisis.html" target="_blank

Why Are Dental Fillings So Important? Dear Doctor. 9 November 2012.

https://www.deardoctor.com/dentistry/blog/why-are-dental-fillings-so-important" target="_blank

About Dental Amalgam Fillings. FDA. Website Accessed 2 February 2019.

https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/dentalproducts/dentalamalgam/ucm171094.htm" target="_blank

Bazilchuk, Nancy. Are Mercury Dental Fillings Really That Dangerous? Sciencenordic. 22 February 2018.

http://sciencenordic.com/are-mercury-dental-fillings-really-dangerous" target="_blank

Moseley-Williams, Sorrel. 10 Things to do in Cartagena de Indias. The Independent. 8 September 2017.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/americas/cartagena-de-indias-things-to-do-what-see-attractions-colombia-caribbean-coast-las-murallas-salsa-a7934891.html" target="_blank

5 things you probably don't know about tooth loss. Net Doctor. 7 September 2019.

https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/beauty/dental/a28820/causes-of-tooth-loss-in-adults/" target="_blank