A cavity means you are bound to get fillings to close them up. If this is your first time, then you must have questions like, “how long do dental fillings last?” or “how much do fillings cost?” must be rummaging through your mind. If so, you have landed on the right page. Stay with us till the end to know your answers.
How Long do Dental Fillings Last For?
Usually, cavity fillings last for about 8 to 10 years. However, many factors contribute to the longevity of life.
- Filler material
- Oral hygiene
- Diet
- Any impact or tooth trauma
- Decay near the filling
- Bruxism or teeth grinding
Dental fillings last quite long, but not forever. Therefore, it is best to know when it might be needed again.
When Should You Get a Replacement Of Fillings?
There might be a slight chance of not needing a filling renewal at all, but that’s very rare. On average, if you visit every 6 months, the dentist might be able to detect the need to change the filling early.
Your filling may crack up or suffer from wear and tear while eating and lose its function of protecting the teeth contents under it. Sometimes, dental fillings may fall out and need urgent replacement.
It is also possible to not notice a filling oozing out slowly or having problems. That is why regular checkups are essential. Your dentist can catch the issue in the initial stages during a routine exam.
Your dentist has specialized tools to look around the edges of your filling. They ensure that it is still intact in the tooth or not. Another point is the use of dental X-rays to show decay (if any) under the filling or if it’s anywhere nearby.
Types of Dental Filling
Usually, 4 common types of materials are used for dental fillings, namely: gold, composite, amalgam, and porcelain.
Gold Filling
Dental fillings made of gold last between 15 to 30 years- yes, that’s right. This is because gold is the most durable material and withstand years of biting wear and tear.
Silver Fillings
The next in durability and strength is silver. Silver dental fillings last for around 10 to 15 years. Moreover, it is also the most inexpensive option. They are not pure; they have copper, tin, and other metals mixed as well.
Composite Fillings
They comprise resins, a hard polymer with glass or quartz particles. This filling lasts around 5 to 7 years but can stretch up to 10 years. However, their ability to wear out is faster, and they could be better at withstanding pressure compared to gold or silver ones.
Porcelain Fillings
Ceramic or porcelain filling has longevity similar to composite, which is around 5 to 10 years; however, the price aspect can be as expensive as gold ones. Porcelain has the added advantage, just like composites, of matching the natural color of teeth. However, porcelain is much more sturdy than resin used in composite fillings; therefore can last long.
Final Words
It is better to keep up with your dental checkups so that the dentist can detect early stage 1 cavities, use appropriate fillings there, to avoid any grave issues. Why don’t you schedule an appointment with Smiles Forever Dental if you live near Castaic CA. Dial (661) 666-4433 to get your dream smile today!