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- Themselves with fillings: Russians "treat" teeth at home instead of visits to dentists
Themselves with fillings: Russians "treat" teeth at home instead of visits to dentists
Russians have begun actively buying kits for self-dental fillings at home, Izvestia found out. Against this background, the number of sales announcements has also increased by 3.3 times compared to last year. Experts believe that the demand was spurred by rising prices for dental services — they increased significantly last year and continued to rise this year. Doctors warn that self—sealing is extremely dangerous - it can lead to the development of caries, tooth loss, gum inflammation and other consequences. Why thousands of Russians still buy "repair kits" and whether they can defend their rights in case of health problems — in the Izvestia article.
How to put seals on your own
In the first six months of 2025, the supply of products for self-dental fillings at home has increased significantly on online platforms, market analysts told Izvestia. There were 3.3 times more sales announcements on one of the marketplaces compared to the same period last year, the specialists of the JVO Studio e-commerce management platform clarified.
On average, about 2 thousand ads for the sale of temporary fillings are currently posted on online sites, which anyone can put on themselves, thus covering up caries, chipping, darkening and other visually noticeable flaws. Previously, the price of such a "repair kit" could start from 150-200 rubles. But now — against the background of popularity — the average check has increased to 908 rubles.
Only one of the sellers of such products for the "home dentist" has about 44 thousand sales per year, Izvestia found out after examining the product card. On average, 118 sets were bought from him per day.
In addition, trends related to home gadgets and dental treatments and aesthetics are now actively spreading on social networks. In particular, the "build-up" of teeth using gel polish. The procedure is performed both by a manicure master and at home. It also promotes the use of gadgets for correction — false veneers, aligners and caps.
However, the reviews for such temporary seals are mostly positive. Some users, having tried this method, declare that they refuse professional dental care.
The most common reason for self—medication is the rising cost of dental services.
"I've been using it for two or three months now. The situation is typical — the tooth has fallen apart by almost half, it was previously sealed. There's no money for proper treatment or removal right now, and you can't eat with a tooth like that. This "dental cement" is the real solution to this problem. Right now, the whole procedure takes about one minute. He's holding up well. It crumbles a little over time, but not critically. I mix it in a small glass saucepan and form a "seal" on my tooth with my fingers. As a result, I freely eat all the food, the tooth does not bother. I repeat the procedure about every four weeks to just add a little instead of the crumbled part," wrote one of the customers.
Another user called the filling material "disgusting stuff."
"Then you can't take your eyes off the tooth. It is impossible to keep hot water in your mouth so that this plastic becomes soft. I tore it off with a piece of a tooth," she said.
There have always been attempts to save money on full—fledged dental care, self-medication is not a new phenomenon, dentists complained. According to Victoria Radko, head of the orthodontic department at Eurokappa Clinic, people are increasingly looking for quick and cheap solutions, including kits for self-filling teeth or even bite changes, which are freely available on online platforms.
— Unfortunately, behind such "life hacks" there is no diagnosis, individual approach or understanding of the causes of the problem. This is not a treatment — it is a masking of symptoms, which often leads to even more serious consequences," she said.
Why self-sealing has become popular
In June 2025, the average receipt for dental services reached 10.9 thousand rubles, which is 15% higher than last year, the analytical center "Check Index" of the company "Platform OFD" told Izvestia
The top purchases for dental services include anesthesia, caries treatment, dental scans, and orthodontics.
"Despite the high base of last year, Russians' spending on dentistry continued to grow this year. In 2024, the overall increase in the average receipt year—on-year was 18-20%, and the number of purchases was 15-17% higher," the analysts noted.
Medical centers are raising prices due to the increased cost of materials and other operating expenses.
The professional dental community has an extremely negative attitude towards the sale of any kind, including temporary fillings for home use, said Rinat Saleev, President of the Dental Association of Russia, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry and chief physician of the dental clinic of Kazan State Medical University.
— There are currently no statistics on the consequences of self—use of "home fillings", as patients in most cases prefer to keep silent about this fact, - he said. — The composition of any material used to treat dental pathology must be safe for the human body. Admission to use in medical practice is granted only after conducting clinical safety studies.
Dentistry is a complex field of medicine that requires professional knowledge and skills, said Vyacheslav Glukhov, Chief Physician of the Lucidus Dental Clinic. Buying and installing dental materials yourself, such as fillings, is a direct route to serious problems.
— The origin and quality of such materials are often questionable — it is impossible to verify them reliably. There is no guarantee that this is the company that produces dental materials," he stressed. — In addition, there are such concepts as storage and transportation standards. All medical devices have an impressive list of storage and transportation conditions.
According to the expert, each drug requires a certain temperature, illumination, and method of transportation — and there is no guarantee that these materials were transported in compliance with, for example, the temperature regime, and then stored in warehouses and storage facilities in compliance with the prescribed conditions.
What are the consequences for teeth from homemade fillings?
Self-sealing can cause tooth decay, inflammation and suppuration of the gums, Victoria Radko noted. Without cleaning and professional treatment of the carious cavity, such "fillings" only preserve the infection inside the tooth.
— Moreover, the patient may miss the moment when it was possible to save the tooth, — said the specialist. — And if we talk about orthodontic kits, then their independent use can lead to incorrect movement of teeth, malocclusion, pain and even damage to the roots. The medical profession exists for a reason — any intervention must be reasonable, individual and safe.
Substandard materials can cause allergic reactions, inflammation and other complications, Vyacheslav Glukhov added. Improper installation of fillings or crowns can lead to the development of caries under them, as well as damage to neighboring teeth.
"Implantation is an even more complex procedure that requires anesthesia and surgery combined with strict adherence to technology and manufacturer's recommendations," the expert said. — An independent attempt to install an implant or its imitation is fraught with infections, damage to gums, teeth, nerves and bones, as well as rejection of the implant. Even if you are a professional doctor, but not a dentist, it is better to consult a professional.
In addition, the legal aspect should be taken into account, Vyacheslav Glukhov added. It may be illegal to use dental materials that are not certified in the country. The responsibility for the consequences of self-treatment performed using such materials lies entirely with the buyer.
— In case of complications, it will not be possible to prove the seller's guilt, — he reminded. — The law on consumer protection will not be on your side.
The treatment should be carried out only by qualified specialists in specialized clinics, the dentists emphasized. You should not trust questionable offers from the Internet and risk your health. Even if the financial situation does not allow, there are always compulsory medical insurance and state dentistry or installment programs that will allow you to plan a budget and include dental expenses in it.
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