How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
Dental fillings are an essential part of oral care. They help to protect teeth from cavities and other dental problems. How long do dental fillings last? That depends on various factors, including the filling, the material it is made from, and your oral hygiene habits.
Dental fillings can last anywhere from a few years to a decade or more. If you take good care of your teeth and get regular dental checkups, your fillings should last for a long time. However, if you don’t brush and floss regularly or have a history of cavities, your fillings may not last as long.
Dental Fillings Types and About Long Lasting
That depends on the type of filling, how well you take care of your teeth and other factors. That depends on many different things such as:
- The Material: The material used for the filling will play a role in its duration. Fillings can be made by gold, silver, porcelain, composite resin, or amalgam (a mix of metals). Composite resin is the most common type of filling, and it usually lasts between five and eight years. Gold fillings can last up to 15 years, but they are more expensive than other fillings. Amalgam fillings usually last between three and five years.
- The Placement: How the dentist places the filling will also affect its duration. A poorly placed filling may not seal properly and could come loose over time.
- Cleaning & Flossing: How well you take care of your teeth will also affect how long fillings last. If the filling is done on one of your back molars, it’s essential to make sure that you floss and brush appropriately so food doesn’t get stuck in between those areas.
How Long do Amalgam Fillings Last?
Amalgam fillings are safe and effective. But, patients who don’t like the appearance of silver-colored metal may want to use composite resin or porcelain instead. Amalgams usually last between 3 and 5 years before they need to be replaced. If you have an amalgam filling, you must take good care of your teeth so that food doesn’t get stuck in between them and cause damage over time.
How Long do Composite Resin Fillings Last?
Composite resin fillings are made from a mixture of glass and plastic particles. The fillings mixture is matched to the color of your teeth, so they look more natural than amalgam fillings do. How long composite fillings last depends on how well you take care of them and what types of foods/drinks regularly swallow, as these things may cause staining over time or lead to tooth decay around the edges, where there is less protection against bacteria due to their porosity compared with gold crowns which cannot absorb stains like porcelain veneers but cost more money upfront. Hence, if finances aren’t an issue, opt for those instead!
How Long do Gold Fillings Last?
Gold fillings last 10 to 15 years, but they may eventually need to be replaced if the tooth shows signs of decay.
How Long do Silver Fillings Last?
Silver fillings usually only last between 5 and 7 years before they need to be replaced.
How Long do Porcelain Fillings Last?
Porcelain fillings can last up to 15 years if you don’t consume too many staining foods/drinks. If you do, then they may start to look discolored after a few years.
How Often Should I Visit My Dentist for a Checkup?
It’s recommended that you see your dentist at least once every six months. During these visits, they will be able to check the fillings and determine whether or not tooth decay has started again around them (and how much). If there isn’t any decay, they may need a quick clean-up with an air abrasion device.
Conclusion
So, how long do dental fillings last? In general, dental fillings should last between 5 and 10 years. However, this can vary depending on the type of filling material used and your oral health habits. If you take care of your teeth and get regular checkups and cleanings, your fillings should last for a long time. If you face problems with your fillings, don’t hesitate to contact our emergency dental support – they may need to be replaced or repaired.
