Do I Need to Replace My Dental Filling? - Lone Tree Modern Dental & Orthodontics (2024)

FAQs

Do I Need to Replace My Dental Filling? - Lone Tree Modern Dental & Orthodontics? ›

It's easy to forget about your fillings a few weeks after your procedure, but they aren't actually a permanent solution. But don't panic! Even though your filling will need to be replaced eventually, if you take care of your oral health, it could last you a very long time.

If your old fillings are still sitting in your teeth perfectly fine and not causing you any type of an issue, then the chances are, it is fine and doesn't need to be replaced.

Some dentists offer warranties around 1 to 2 years on new fillings, provided that you have checkups every 6 months and take good care of your teeth at home. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and eating a balanced diet can also help extend the life of your fillings.

The lifetime of a dental filling

Dental fillings that are made of metal or gold materials are known to last upwards of 20 years. On the flip side, more modern materials such as porcelain should also last a while, however, typically, not more than 10 years. Composite resin, while a popular material, is not as strong.

If a filling isn't replaced within a few days, it could cause damage to the unprotected tooth. Bacteria and food particles can stick into the empty space, causing decay. Also, the missing filling can expose dentin, the second layer of tooth under the hard outer enamel.

Dental fillings are incredibly helpful in preventing tooth decay, but they're not infallible – there is always a chance for them to fall out over time. If this happens, the most important thing to do is to rinse the area with warm water and apply clove oil or a pain reliever gel directly to the area.

Signs that you may benefit from replacing your fillings

Amalgam or silver fillings tend to last longer, but they're less aesthetically pleasing and are only used on the back teeth. You can expect your amalgam fillings to last between 5 and 25 years and your composite fillings to last between 5 and 15 years.

There are several signs that a filling may need replacement, including: Sensitive teeth can be a sign that the filling has cracked professional treatment. If a tooth hurts at the location of the filling, that means that the filling could have worn down and needed replacement.

For the patient, a filling replacement will not feel any different from any other dental work. The local anesthetic ensures that you do not feel any pain during the procedure. After removing the old silver filling material, your dentist prepares the tooth for the new filling, onlay, or dental crown.

Can orthodontist fix fillings? ›

However, their expertise primarily revolves around the alignment of teeth and correcting bite issues, rather than performing cavity fillings. Cavity fillings are routine dental procedures typically conducted by general dentists.

Temporary fillings are designed to last six to eight weeks, but there have been cases where they last longer with the proper care. Often, one of two things will happen to a temp filling that has been in a patient's mouth for too long: The filling breaks. The filling falls out.

But did you know that many dental fillings are actually overprescribed? In many cases, small cavities don't need to be filled immediately since they may not worsen or even cause discomfort. This means some people end up paying for a procedure they don't really need! So yes, fillings can be a money trap.

Composite Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings are made from a mixture of fine glass and plastic particles. They are customized to match your enamel to blend in when you smile. Although they aren't made from metal, they are durable. They generally last 10 to 12 years before needing to be replaced.

There is no single number of how many times you can have a filling replaced. Usually, we will stop replacing the dental filling after the hole becomes too large. Once you have more filling material than natural tooth material your tooth no longer holds enough strength.

Certain treatments are guaranteed for 12 months from the date they were completed. These are: fillings. root fillings.

Amalgam fillings can endure 10 – 15 years or more with proper care. Composite fillings contain a mixture of resin and fine glass particles. They are tooth-colored and blend seamlessly with natural teeth, making them popular for visible areas. Composite fillings generally last 5 – 10 years.

The greatest downside is the greater risk of inhaling mercury vapor or ingesting mercury particles during removal. The risk is even greater if your filling is very old. Therefore, removing a filling at home puts you at a greater risk of mercury toxicity and other mercury-related complications.

Eventually, all fillings need to be replaced due to constant stress from eating and drinking, and especially from tooth clenching and grinding. Over time, fillings can wear out, chip, crack, or even fall out altogether.