Did you know that your mouth is home to billions of bacteria representing hundreds of different species? Some are necessary for certain processes, like healthy digestion, but others can flourish and contribute to dental disease and decay.
Your dentist can fill cavities to prevent them from spreading or becoming progressively worse, but many patients wonder how long they can expect the results to last. Continue reading to learn more about the longevity of dental fillings and how you can help maintain them!
What Are Dental Fillings Made From?
Historically, dentists relied on amalgam fillings made from silver-colored materials, such as powdered metals combined with liquid mercery as a binding agent. These materials are sometimes still used because of their durability, but they also can cause allergies, sensitivity, or feelings of self-consciousness over the appearance of the treated teeth.
Most dentists today offer tooth-colored fillings made from customizable composite resin, instead. Not only can this material be customized to match the shade of your teeth for beautiful results, but it also is biocompatible and bonds directly with the enamel, helping preserve more of the tooth’s natural structure and strength.
How Long do Dental Fillings Usually Last?
If you’re worried that opting for a tooth-colored repair means that you’re sacrificing longevity ‘just’ to choose a more aesthetically pleasing solution, you can thankfully set your concerns aside. It’s true that ones made from amalgam are incredibly durable and can potentially last 10 to 15+ years with proper care, but thankfully, tooth-colored fillings often last just as long.
But the lifespan of your restoration(s) can depend on different factors unique to your circumstances. For example, molars tend to sustain more damage from chewing, so fillings in these teeth might not last as long as ones located closer to the fronts of your arches.
How Can I Help Maintain My Fillings?
It’s natural to want to do everything you can to protect your treatment results so you can continue using your damaged teeth to eat, speak, and smile confidently. Regardless of whether you have amalgam silver fillings or more contemporary tooth-colored repairs, you can usually help maintain the results by:
- Implementing a routine. Brushing and flossing morning and night removes plaque and bacteria to help avoid cavities, gum disease, and other common concerns.
- Avoiding certain foods. Minimizing your consumption of anything overly sticky, hard, sugary, acidic, or crunchy can help prevent damage to your enamel or restorations.
- Scheduling routine dental visits. Seeing your provider every 6 months for a routine checkup and cleaning helps them monitor your dental health so they can address any issues, like a worn-down filling, before it gets worse.
- Getting annual dental X-rays. This helps ensure nothing has developed between your teeth, behind your molars, or between the gums.
If you are concerned about cavities or want to replace a silver filling with a more lifelike, tooth-colored version, it’s time to contact your dentist for an appointment!
About the Practice
Patients at St. Albans Dental benefit from three dentists who are passionate about helping them build and maintain beautiful, healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Aten, Dr. Cone, and Dr. Davico collaborate to provide a complete menu of services, including tooth-colored fillings, to meet the unique needs of people of all ages. Their caring approach, paired with advanced technology, delivers resilient, lifelike results meant to last. If you’re worried you have cavities, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (802) 524-4844.