When my dental plan says Resin, 1 surface, 2 surface, 3 surface, 4 surface. What's a surface?

Question

I don't understand what a surface is. I know I need to have fillings and am shopping for dental insurance.

Answer 1

Each surface represents a side of the tooth that needs to be filled. For example, if only the top of the tooth needs a filling, that's a 1 surface filling. "Resin" is a tooth-colored synthetic material that they use for fillings, especially in the front. If the tooth needs a bigger filling that extends down the sides of the tooth it may need a 3 surface filling. And so on...teeth have up to 6 surfaces so it can be pricey to get a filling in resin material, the silver or amalgam filling material is always cheaper, and recommended for back teeth that get a lot of wear since the resin doesn't last as long. Hope this helps...Good Luck.

Answer 2

I have never heard of 6 surfaces unless you are including apical but good luck to the dentist drilling there :) There would be mesial, distal, buccal (or facial), lingual (or palatal), and occlusal (or incisal). That adds to 5