Dental fillings truly work well, helping weak and decayed teeth remain strong and stable. With that said, don’t be fooled; these mouth-friendly materials can’t carry on forever and need replacing over time. You’ll want to confirm their lifespan to ensure your smile stays safe for many years. Luckily, you can trust your Rapid City dentist to provide the relevant details. Just keep reading to learn how long dental fillings last, when they should be replaced, and how best to care for them.
Dental Fillings & Their Lifespan(s)
Most dental fillings last for roughly ten years or so, but the exact lifespan varies from patient to patient. How long your own work will depend on various factors.
Consider the filling’s material, for instance. An amalgam one will be durable and (if well-maintained) last for up to fifteen years. On the other hand, a glass iomer filling is usually so fragile that it only works for about five years at most.
Your lifestyle is another key factor worth noting. Based on eating habits, oral hygiene, and similar activities, a filling may last for a longer or shorter amount of time. Your treatment results could endure for a lengthy period if you remember to look after your smile.
When Should You Replace a Filling?
It’s quite possible to tell whether your filling should be replaced. To do so, you just need to look at the proper signs and signals.
One such sign to watch for is whether a filling is cracked or worn down. After all, its material won’t be that effective if it’s suffering from severe wear and tear. Not replacing this filling would put your tooth at risk of a severe cavity or an infection.
You should also replace fillings in any sensitive teeth. By the time a filled tooth starts hurting, there’s a good chance your treatment has failed.
Tips on Taking Care of Fillings
If you want your fillings to last a long time, make sure to do the following:
- Keep Your Smile Clean – Brushing twice daily and flossing once daily stops harmful plaque from reaching your teeth and wearing down your fillings.
- Give Up Bad Oral Habits – Teeth-grinding and nail-biting harm fillings, so quit these habits as best you can.
- See Your Dentist Often – If you get dental checkups every six months, your dentist can treat issues that might threaten your dental fillings.
Your choices will affect how long your dental fillings last. Given that fact, make the right ones by using the tips and tricks above!
About the Practice
Anderson Family Dental is based in Rapid City, SD. Led by Drs. Anderson and McCullough, our practice always provides patients with superior smile care. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative oral treatments, all tailored to your unique mouth and its needs. Our team can even repair weak teeth with quality dental fillings and crowns! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (605)-721-1219.