If what they say is, “nothing lasts forever,” then what makes dental fillings the exception?
The good news is, your filling could last up to twenty years with proper care. The bad news is, you will eventually need a new filling.
What Are Fillings For?
When your teeth start to decay, dentists have a procedure in place to halt the process. Your dentist will fill your tooth with a stand-in substance after drilling away the parts that are decayed. The substance may be made of:
- Amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc)
- Composite resin (tooth-colored fillings)
- Gold
- Porcelain
Composite resin is the most commonly used material. Since it is tooth-colored, it blends in well with the rest of your smile.
When Will I Have to Replace my Filling?
The ballpark for how long your filling will last is about 7-20 years. It all depends on the size and location of your filling and also on how well you take care of your teeth.
Fillings take a lot of stress. Every time we eat, we put pressure on them. This will eventually cause your filling to loosen, creating a pocket where food collects and causes decay.
This makes your dental checkups and dental X-rays crucial. We will be able to see any trouble brewing below the surface of your teeth before it becomes more serious. If you let it go too long, a compromised filling may require an extraction or root canal in order to fix it.
Is There a Warranty on Fillings?
Hampden Dental Group guarantees all dental fillings for 5 years. If your filling fails because of decay, misfitting, or breakage, we will refund you the cost of the procedure.
We are excited to offer this to our patients, but keeping up with your dental health is important. That’s why our warranty is only valid for patients who see us for a dental cleaning every 6 months.
For Best Results, Avoid Decay
The best way to make sure your filling lasts, is to never need the filling in the first place! Prevent decay by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist twice a year.