Dental Fillings
A cavity does not heal on its own. Filling it early is a short visit; waiting turns it into a bigger problem. Little River Medical Center provides fillings at our dental offices in Little River, Carolina Forest, and Aynor. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, and most private dental insurance, and patients without coverage can apply for our sliding fee scale. Call 843-663-8000 to have a tooth looked at.
Signs you may need a filling
Some cavities announce themselves and some do not. Worth getting checked if you notice:
- A tooth that hurts with sweets, cold, or hot drinks
- A rough spot, chip, or visible hole you can feel with your tongue
- Food consistently catching in the same spot between teeth
- A dull ache when you bite down
- A dark spot on a tooth
Early decay often causes nothing at all, which is the reason regular exams and cleanings matter. Cavities found early are usually small and quick to fix.
What your coverage pays for
Fillings are among the most widely covered dental procedures, whatever kind of coverage you have. Here is what generally applies. Call us with your plan details and we will verify your specific benefits before treatment.
| Your coverage | What generally applies |
|---|---|
| Private dental insurance | Fillings are usually covered as a basic service, commonly at a set percentage after any deductible. We accept most private dental plans and will check your benefits. |
| Medicare | Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental. Many Medicare Advantage plans include a dental benefit that may cover fillings. Bring your plan card and we will look. |
| TRICARE | Dental coverage runs through a separate dental program rather than TRICARE medical. |
| South Carolina Medicaid | Covered for adults. Healthy Connections covers fillings, extractions, and an annual cleaning for members 21 and older, within a $1,000 annual benefit running July 1 through June 30. Members under 21 have broader coverage. See the state's dental plan for current details. |
| No insurance | Apply for our sliding fee scale. Your cost is set by household size and income. Bring a photo ID and proof of household income from the last 30 days. |
If you are on Medicaid, that annual cap is worth planning around. When several teeth need work, our team can help you sequence it so the most urgent problems come first. It also matters that crowns and root canals are not covered for adults under that benefit, which is a practical reason to treat decay while a filling is still the answer. For other ways to reduce what you owe, see our guide to low-cost and free dental care in Horry County, and if you are not enrolled in any coverage, our outreach team can help you apply.
What happens during the visit
The dentist examines the tooth and usually takes an X-ray to see how deep the decay goes. The area is numbed, the decayed portion is removed, and the space is filled and shaped so your bite feels normal. Most single fillings are done in one appointment.
Afterward, the tooth can be sensitive to temperature for a few days, which usually settles on its own. If your bite feels high, or the tooth stays sensitive beyond a couple of weeks, call us for an adjustment rather than waiting it out.
Filling materials
Tooth-colored composite is the common choice for most fillings and blends with the surrounding tooth. Silver amalgam is stronger in some back-tooth situations and has been used for well over a century. Your dentist will recommend what suits the size and location of the cavity, and will tell you if your coverage treats one differently than the other.
Why waiting costs more than the filling
Decay does not stop. A small cavity that could be filled today can reach the nerve, at which point the options narrow to a root canal or removing the tooth. For adults on Medicaid that matters twice over, because root canals are not a covered benefit, so a delayed cavity often ends in an extraction and, eventually, the cost of replacing the tooth. Treating it while it is still a filling is the cheapest version of the problem you will ever have.
Where to go
We provide dental care, including fillings, at Little River, Carolina Forest, and Aynor. Call 843-663-8000 to book at the closest office. New patients can start with new patient registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover fillings?
Usually. Most private dental plans cover fillings as a basic service, and South Carolina Medicaid covers them for adults within its annual benefit. Traditional Medicare does not cover routine dental, though many Medicare Advantage plans do. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, and most private dental insurance, and we will verify your plan before treatment.
Does Medicaid cover fillings in South Carolina?
Yes. For adults 21 and older, South Carolina Healthy Connections covers fillings, extractions, and an annual cleaning within a $1,000 yearly benefit. Members under 21 have broader coverage. We accept Healthy Connections Medicaid.
What if I have no insurance?
Apply for our sliding fee scale and your cost is based on household size and income. We will go over the amount with you before treatment begins.
Does getting a filling hurt?
The tooth is numbed first, so the procedure itself should not be painful. Some temperature sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal.
How long do fillings last?
It varies with the size of the filling, where it sits in your mouth, and how well you care for your teeth. Fillings do not last forever, and worn or cracked ones eventually need replacing, which is part of what your dentist checks at regular visits.
What happens if I do not get a cavity filled?
Decay keeps spreading. It can reach the nerve and cause significant pain and infection, and at that point the tooth may need to be removed. Filling it early is the simplest and least expensive point in that process.
Can a cavity heal on its own?
Very early enamel damage can sometimes be halted with fluoride and better home care. Once decay has broken through the surface, it needs to be cleaned out and filled.
We accept most insurance plans, including:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Private or commercial plans
- ACA or Healthcare Marketplace plans
ESTABLISHED PATIENTS ONLY:
Same Day / Next Day Appointments
If you are an established patient, we can provide you with a same-day/next-day appointment. If you find it necessary to cancel your appointment, please call us as early as possible so that we may offer your time to someone else. We can offer telehealth visits if transportation or other issues prevent you from keeping your appointment.
After Hours:
If you are sick outside of normal office hours, please call the after-hours number to contact the provider on call. They will provide you with additional instruction. If you are experiencing a health emergency, please call 911.
After Hours: 843.497.3424
