One of the questions patients often ask when they need a dental filling is, “How long will it last?” Unfortunately, dental fillings are not permanent. Filling a cavity is sometimes inconvenient, so patients want to know when they will need to undergo the procedure again. Certain factors such as the size of the cavity and extent of wear and tear can affect a filling’s lifespan, but the most crucial factor is the material used for the dental filling.
The most common dental filling materials include porcelain, composite, gold and amalgam. They have different strengths, appearances and prices. Patients need to consider these factors, including the durability of each filling before undergoing the filling procedure.
Gold filling is an alloy of copper and other metals. They can survive up to 15 to 30 years of biting and chewing — more than any other filling material. It is the most durable but costs more than all the other filling materials.
Amalgam fillings contain a percentage of silver, copper, mercury, tin and other metals. After gold filling, amalgam is the most durable material for dental fillings. They can last between 10 to 15 years and for many years were the preferred choice for filling a decayed tooth. The low cost and durability are the reasons many people consider them.
These fillings are created from resin, a hard-plastic polymer combined with glass or quartz particles. They generally last between five to seven years and can survive up to 10 years with proper care. Compared to gold or amalgam fillings, composite dental fillings are less durable and deteriorate much faster. They are often the preferred option since they are customizable to match the teeth’s appearance.
Porcelain or ceramic fillings can withstand up to 10 years of regular use. Like composite fillings, they can be adjusted to match the color of the natural teeth. Porcelain is stronger than the resin used for composite fillings and can be used for molars.
There is no definite lifespan for the dental fillings mentioned. Sometimes, the filling may fail earlier than expected, or they can last twice as long as anticipated. The apparent sign that a filling needs replacement is a noticeable crack, looseness or falling out. Loose or lost fillings tend to happen if the cavity is large and there is not enough natural tooth structure to hold the filling. It is necessary to book an appointment with a dentist if any changes occur with the dental filling, even if it does not cause pain or discomfort.
The dentist may also notice small cracks around the filling during a routine checkup and replace the dental filling. Otherwise, dentists prefer to leave the filling intact, even if it has exceeded its expected lifespan. The process of replacing a filling often means drilling out more of the healthy tooth structure and the filling will take more areas of the tooth, resulting in a root canal or worst still, tooth extraction.
Dental fillings have improved over the years — they are more durable and natural-looking. For more questions about the dental filling procedure, book an appointment with a dentist.
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