Smile Now – In House CareCredit Financing Option

How Long Does a Dental Filling Last?

dental filling Hackensack, NJ

It would be nice if your dental filling lasted for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, a dental filling needs to be replaced eventually. Many fillings can last for up to 20 years. However, this number can vary depending on your health and oral care. Continue reading to find out more about the life span of dental fillings.

What is a dental filling?

If a patient has a tooth that starts to decay, a dental filling can fix the problem. First, the dentist will drill out any decay that is not wanted. Without this step, the decay can spread throughout the tooth. The tooth will then be filled with a substance so it will stay strong. There are several things a filling might consist of, including:

  • Gold
  • Porcelain
  • Composite resin, which blends with the rest of the teeth
  • Silver amalgam, made from silver, mercury, tin and zinc

When will the filling need to be replaced?

Generally, a dental filling will last for at last seven years. This can last for as long as 20 years. It will depend on where the filling is located, the patient’s dental hygiene and the size. Fillings undergo a lot of stress every day. Each time the patient chews, the filling is compromised. The filling might come loose bit by bit.

This creates an area that food particles can easily collect in. That will only cause further damage to the tooth. If the tooth begins to decay with a filling, the hole will be larger than the filling. That could cause the filling to come loose.

For this reason, regular visits to the dentist are even more important. Patients should visit the dentist every six months. This can prevent the filling from becoming loose and being an issue. By not visiting the dentist, patients may need to have a root canal treatment or extraction instead.

Avoiding decay

With the right dental care, patients can prolong the life of their fillings. The right dental care can go a long way toward helping. It is important to brush twice a day with a toothbrush that has soft bristles. This will prevent the brushing motion from wearing down the patient’s gums. Flossing will help prevent gum disease or a small cavity from starting.

It is also important to have the teeth cleaned by a dentist every six months. This can “reset” the patient’s oral health and cleanliness. This is a good idea because even proper oral hygiene may not be able to remove all of the plaque. The dentist will also look for early signs of tooth decay. Catching cavities early will prevent them from growing.

Visit a dentist today

Your dental filling can last up to two decades if you care for it properly. However, if you have an old filling, it may need to be replaced. Your dentist can help you decide when that should happen. Making an appointment with your dentist today is the first step.

Request an appointment here: https://precisionsmiles.net or call Precision Smiles. at (201) 204-1355 for an appointment in our Hackensack office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Related Posts

Having Pain While Chewing? You Might Need Root Canal Treatment

Getting a root canal treatment can help bring back your oral health. Pain is not a normal sensation while chewing. The tooth causing you pain must receive treatment right away. If you want to know how a root canal treatment can help you with your dental problem, here are the details.Chewing should be painless. Pain…

Can Multiple Teeth Need A Root Canal Treatment?

Most people find root canal treatment frightening. This procedure has a bad reputation for being painful and unpleasant. But your dentist has the skills and instruments necessary to handle the process efficiently and with minimal pain. There is a possibility that a patient may have numerous teeth that require extensive treatment. The dentist can assess…

3 Tips To Prepare For A Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment may seem intimidating at first, but the more prepared you are the less likely you are to experience anxiety. Continue reading to learn how to prepare for this procedure. The following review discusses three tips you can use to prepare properly ahead of your scheduled root canal treatment.You can prepare for a…

When Is A Dental Crown Recommended?

A dental crown is a restoration option designed to cover a weak or damaged tooth, restoring its function and appearance. The crown protects the tooth from further damage and prevents the need for extraction. Different types of dental crowns are available, each custom-made to fit over the tooth and blend in with the rest of…