How Long Do Fillings Last?

Fillings are one of the most common dental repairs, used to repair teeth that have been damaged by cavities and trauma. In fact, nearly every American adult — about 92% — has had at least one cavity, so there’s a good chance that most of those teeth have had fillings. 

At Goodman Dental Center in Queen Creek, Arizona, Brian Goodman, DDS, and Tanner Goodman, DMD, offer durable, beautiful white fillings to repair damaged teeth. Unlike silver-colored fillings that contain mercury, white fillings are tinted to match your tooth, so the repair is virtually invisible. 

As important as fillings are for repairing teeth and preventing ongoing decay, they’re not designed to last forever. Here at Goodman Dental Center, we’d like you to know when it’s time to replace an old filling so it doesn’t fall out and so you can prevent future decay in the same tooth.

When it’s time to replace an old filling

Most white fillings are designed to last for about a decade with good care. That means brushing and flossing regularly and avoiding bad habits, like chewing on ice or other hard foods, that can increase the risk of tooth cracks and breakage. 

It also means limiting sugary foods and other foods that could cause decay.

Without good oral care habits, germs may penetrate around the edges of old fillings, eventually causing decay under or around fillings that could cause them to loosen, break, or fall out.

Aside from oral hygiene, there are a couple of other factors that could make your filling wear out faster. 

If you have a grinding or clenching habit, that extra force can wear down your tooth surfaces, and it can wear down your fillings, too. In some cases, that added pressure could cause a filling to crack or break.

How we replace fillings

Filling replacement is a fairly straightforward process. First, we evaluate your tooth to look for any decay that may have formed around the filling. After your evaluation, we map out the replacement process.

Typically, replacing an existing filling involves numbing your tooth and then using special tools to remove the old filling material while protecting the healthy tooth surrounding it. We use a special process to ensure you don’t inhale or swallow any tiny filling fragments. 

Once we remove the old filling material, we prepare the underlying tooth, removing any decay and shaping the area for the new filling. The next step varies depending on the type of filling you’re having.

White fillings

We can fill most cavities with white fillings made of tinted composite resins applied in layers. We build up and expertly shape each layer so it fits the contours of your bite. 

In some cases, we may use a special light to cure the resin and help it harden. The resin material creates a very strong bond with the natural tooth material, reducing the risk of developing decay around the edge of the filling.

Inlays and onlays

Inlays and onlays are larger restorations we use when more of the tooth is damaged. Usually made of porcelain, these restorations require a second visit. Because they’re made of porcelain, inlays and onlays may last 20 years or more.

After removing the old filling, we take an impression of your tooth, then send it to a lab that makes your restoration. At your second visit, we apply the restoration using a special adhesive.

Keep your fillings and your teeth in good shape

Unless a filling is damaged or you develop a toothache, you may not even know that it’s time to replace an old filling. During your checkup visit, we use a special probe to ensure all your fillings are sound and strong.

If you have a damaged filling, don’t wait to have it fixed. Call 480-807-4000 or book an appointment online with Goodman Dental Center today.