How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?

How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?

March 1, 2022

Tooth decay is one of the leading dental conditions that destroy your teeth. The main reason for tooth decay is the infestation of the mouth with dental plaques. These dental plaques are slimy films of bacteria that form in the mouth due to a relationship between your saliva, food particles, and bacteria. They stick to the teeth and release acids which eat away at the tooth enamel and cause decay. Tooth decay destroys the tooth structure and leaves the teeth ridden with dental cavities, which ruin your smile and prevent your teeth from carrying out their functions properly. It would help if you got dental fillings in Vancouver to restore your teeth’ structure.

A dental filling is a dental treatment modality that can repair, restore, and replace missing parts of a tooth and damaged teeth or tooth structure. Majorly used to fill cavities (tiny holes in the teeth caused by tooth decay), dental fillings also repair chipped, cracked, and broken teeth. They even out the surfaces of your teeth, improve the functions of your jaw, and ease teeth sensitivity to temperature. Dental fillings generally restore your teeth to their natural structure after being destroyed by accidents, misuse, improper care, etc.

Do you desire a perfect set of teeth that produce beautiful smiles? Are dental cavities, chips, cracks, and other structural damage in your way? Try getting dental fillings in a Vancouver dental clinic is your best shot at restoring your teeth.

What Type Of Dental Filling Is Best For You?

There are about four types of tooth fillings available for you at Enhance Dental Centre. These are classified based on the materials used in producing them. They include:

  • Composite Resin Fillings: This dental filling comes from plastic resin materials. It looks natural and increases your teeth’ aesthetics because it matches the color of your existing natural teeth. It does not require removing a lot of your existing tooth structure before dentists place them. However, composite resin fillings are not as durable as other fillings. They are more expensive than different fillings; they sometimes chip, crack, and are prone to stain like your natural teeth.
  • Ceramic Fillings: This type of filling is custom-made in the lab with porcelain materials and bonded to your teeth. It can also be matched to the color of your natural teeth and is resistant to stains, unlike composite resin fillings. It is durable, long-lasting, and is used to fill large cavities. However, ceramic fillings are brittle and need to cover large areas of decay to prevent breakage.
  • Amalgam (Silver) Fillings: It is from a mixture of silver, copper, zinc, tin, and mercury. It is strong, resistant to wear and tear, and inexpensive. However, dentists cannot make it to match the color of the natural teeth; therefore, it is not aesthetically pleasing. It is unsuitable for apparent areas of the teeth and people who wish to avoid exposing their dental restorations.
  • Gold Fillings: These are expectedly the most expensive fillings. They are strong, durable, and do not rust, making them worth the money spent on getting them. They last as long as 20 years; however, they are visible, uncommon, and require many dental visits to get them done.

The most suitable type of filling for you depends on the cost of the filling, the extent of tooth damage, allergies to filling materials, and the location of the cavity.

How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?

Typically, dental fillings last about ten years before they require replacement. Although some types of dental fillings last longer, it is dependent on the materials used in producing the fillings and other factors. These other factors include:

  • Dental hygiene.
  • Eating and oral habits.
  • Trauma to the tooth.
  • Tooth decay around the filling.
  • Bruxism (Habitual clenching and grinding of the teeth), etc.

The material used in production also matters a lot. Amalgam fillings last for an average of 15 years, while composite fillings last for an average of 7 years. On the other hand, Ceramic fillings averagely stay for 15 years, while gold fillings can last as long as 20 years.