Fillings
Dental fillings in Vietnam for New Zealand patients
Composite tooth-coloured fillings at Picasso Dental Clinic for NZ patients — indicative NZD prices, when it's worth including in your visit, and what to expect.
Composite tooth-coloured fillings at Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam cost approximately NZD 50–100 per surface as of May 2026 (1 NZD = 15,000 VND), compared with NZ private benchmarks of NZD 150–400+ per tooth; fillings are rarely a standalone reason to travel but are a practical and cost-effective add-on when visiting for implants, crowns, or veneers.
Composite fillings at our clinic are good value — but that value shows clearly only when fillings are part of a larger treatment visit, not when they are the sole reason to travel. A patient flying from Auckland to Hanoi specifically for two fillings will spend more on the return flight than the saving on the fillings. A patient already visiting for implants, a full-veneer case, or crown work, and who has four or six cavities identified on their OPG, can have those fillings treated in the same trip for a fraction of what they would cost in New Zealand.
This page explains what composite fillings involve, our indicative prices, the honest economics, and when including fillings in a Picasso visit makes practical sense.
What a composite filling is
A composite filling (also called a tooth-coloured or white filling) uses a resin-based material that bonds directly to the cleaned cavity after decay is removed. It is placed in layers, hardened with a curing light, and shaped and polished to match the surrounding tooth and bite.
Composite has several advantages over older amalgam (silver) restorations:
- Adhesive bonding — composite bonds to enamel and dentine, allowing the dentist to remove only decayed tissue and preserve more healthy tooth structure. Amalgam required undercuts to be cut into healthy dentine for mechanical retention.
- Aesthetics — composite is shade-matched to the natural tooth and is not visible as a dark spot on back teeth.
- No amalgam concerns — composite contains no mercury. We do not place amalgam fillings.
- Thermal properties — composite expands and contracts at a rate closer to natural tooth structure than amalgam, reducing the risk of micro-cracking over time in large restorations.
We do not use glass ionomer or amalgam as primary filling materials. For decay that is very large, extends close to the pulp, or has compromised the majority of the crown, a crown rather than a filling may be the more appropriate restoration. We confirm this in the written treatment plan after reviewing X-rays and clinical photographs.
Our indicative filling prices — May 2026
The prices below are indicative, converted at 1 NZD = 15,000 VND. Final pricing is confirmed after examination.
| Filling type | Picasso indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Composite filling — per surface | NZD 50–100 | Resin-based, shade-matched, bonded |
Per-surface pricing explained. Cavities are classified by how many tooth surfaces they involve: a small pit cavity on the biting surface of a molar is one surface (occlusal). A cavity extending into the contact area between two teeth involves two surfaces (mesio-occlusal or disto-occlusal). Larger cavities may involve three surfaces (MOD — mesial, occlusal, distal). Each additional surface adds to the time and material cost.
A small single-surface filling: approximately NZD 50–100. A moderate two-surface filling on a back tooth: approximately NZD 100–200. A large three-surface molar restoration: approximately NZD 150–300.
See full pricing for every treatment line.
NZ vs Vietnam — the economics
| Case | NZ private indicative range | Picasso indicative | Indicative saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small single-surface filling | NZD 150–250 | NZD 50–100 | NZD 50–200 |
| Moderate two-surface filling | NZD 200–350 | NZD 100–200 | NZD 100–250 |
| Large three-surface molar | NZD 300–400+ | NZD 150–300 | NZD 150–250+ |
| Six fillings (mixed complexity) | NZD 1,000–2,000+ | NZD 300–900 | NZD 700–1,700+ |
NZ benchmarks are anonymous indicative ranges for 2026 private general practice, not sourced from any named clinic.
The break-even reality. A return flight from Auckland to Hanoi is typically NZD 900–1,500. For one or two small fillings, the indicative saving (NZD 100–400) does not come close to covering the trip cost. For a patient who needs eight fillings and is already travelling for implants or veneers, including the fillings adds minimal extra chair time and can reduce the total NZ equivalent bill by NZD 1,000–2,000 or more.
When to include fillings in your Picasso visit
Including fillings in your visit makes practical sense when:
- Multiple cavities are identified on your OPG during pre-travel assessment — treating them in the same trip avoids a separate NZ appointment later.
- You need fillings before major restorative work — active decay adjacent to planned implant sites or under future crown margins should be treated before or alongside the major work.
- Your treatment plan already covers a week or more — the additional chair time for fillings is modest (30–60 minutes per tooth) and can be scheduled alongside primary treatment appointments.
- You have decay on back teeth that have become sensitive — untreated decay advances toward the pulp; catching it at the filling stage prevents a root canal later.
- You want a comprehensive visit — some patients use a Picasso trip to address all outstanding dental needs at once, rather than managing individual items in New Zealand over months.
We advise against travelling specifically for fillings with no other treatment planned. The economics do not support it at current flight prices.
The filling procedure
Assessment. Decay is identified clinically (by probing and visual inspection) and confirmed on X-ray — usually bitewing or periapical. Bitewing X-rays detect interproximal cavities (between teeth) that are not visible on examination. We do not begin treatment until we have imaging confirming the extent and depth of decay.
Anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic is administered for all composite fillings unless the cavity is very superficial and the patient prefers not to have one. Most patients prefer to be numb.
Decay removal. The cavity is opened and all infected and softened dentine is removed. On a deep cavity, we leave a small layer of affected dentine rather than risk pulp exposure — a liner or base is placed if needed.
Bonding and placement. The cavity is etched, a bonding agent is applied, and composite resin is placed in layers. Each layer is cured with a blue-spectrum light before the next is added. Layering improves the physical properties of the final restoration and reduces polymerisation shrinkage.
Shaping and polishing. The filling is shaped to the natural contour of the tooth and the bite is checked with articulating paper. High spots are adjusted. Final polishing produces a smooth surface that resists staining and plaque accumulation.
A single filling appointment runs approximately 30–60 minutes. If multiple fillings are scheduled, they are often grouped by quadrant — treating all teeth in one area under one anaesthetic block rather than returning to multiple appointments.
How long do composite fillings last?
Composite fillings typically last 5–10 years. Longevity is influenced by:
- Size — small one-surface restorations on low-stress teeth can last considerably longer. Large MOD restorations on molars under heavy chewing forces wear faster.
- Bite forces — patients who grind or clench (bruxism) wear fillings faster. A nightguard in New Zealand protects both fillings and crowns from premature wear. See nightguard and bruxism care.
- Oral hygiene — secondary decay at the margins of a filling is the most common reason fillings need to be replaced. Effective brushing, flossing, and six-monthly scale and clean appointments reduce this risk.
- Diet — frequent acidic foods and drinks soften composite surfaces over time.
A composite filling does not last as long as a porcelain inlay or a crown — where the tooth has lost more than 60–70% of its structure, a crown is the more appropriate restoration. We note this clearly in the written treatment plan if any cavity is borderline.
What to send for assessment
To assess whether fillings should be included in your Picasso visit, send:
- Recent bitewing or OPG X-rays (your NZ dentist can email a digital copy)
- Photos of any visible decay or areas your dentist has flagged
- Your NZ dentist’s written notes or quote, if available
- A list of any teeth that have been sensitive to temperature, sweetness, or biting
Contact us at [email protected]. We will identify cavities visible on your X-rays and include them in the overall treatment plan alongside any primary treatment items.
Next step
If you have outstanding fillings and are already considering travelling for implants, veneers, or crowns, ask us to include a filling assessment in your initial quote. We will identify cavities from your X-rays and add them to the itemised NZD plan so you can make a fully informed decision before booking flights.
Free NZD quote · Dental crowns for larger restorations · Is it safe?
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group
Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design
Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.
Frequently asked questions
How much do composite fillings cost at Picasso Dental Clinic in NZD?
Indicative Picasso price as of May 2026: approximately NZD 50–100 per surface, converted at 1 NZD = 15,000 VND. A tooth requiring two surfaces would be in the range of NZD 100–200. Final pricing is confirmed after examination and OPG review.
What is the NZ benchmark price for a composite filling?
Indicative 2026 NZ private-practice benchmarks for composite (tooth-coloured) fillings range from NZD 150 to NZD 400 or more per tooth, depending on the number of surfaces involved and the size of the restoration. These are anonymous planning benchmarks, not a quote from any named clinic.
Is it worth travelling to Vietnam just for fillings?
For one or two small fillings, the saving — perhaps NZD 100–300 per tooth — is unlikely to justify a return flight. For patients who need six or more fillings alongside other treatment (implants, veneers, crowns), including fillings in the Picasso visit is practical and significantly reduces the total cost of the trip.
Does Picasso use amalgam (silver) fillings?
No. We use composite resin (tooth-coloured) as the standard restorative material for direct fillings. Composite is bonded directly to the prepared cavity, requires less healthy tooth structure to be removed than older amalgam techniques, and matches the natural shade of the tooth.
How long do composite fillings last?
Composite fillings typically last 5–10 years with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning. Longevity depends on the size of the filling, the tooth's position in the bite, the patient's bruxism or clenching habits, and the quality of home care. Large fillings on molars under heavy chewing forces tend to wear faster than small restorations on front teeth.
What do I need to send to get a filling assessment before I travel?
Send an OPG or recent bitewing X-rays, photos of any visible decay or sensitivity areas, and your dentist's notes or written quote if available. Email [email protected]. We will indicate how many fillings we can see on your X-rays and include them in the overall treatment plan.