Dentistry has come a long way in the last century. In the past, dentists typically extracted teeth that were causing pain. Now, dentists make every effort to save natural teeth by repairing them with restorations such as dental fillings. Unfortunately, however, while dental work lasts a long time, it doesn’t last forever! If you’ve ever asked yourself the question, “Do fillings need to be replaced?” you’ll get the answer in this blog.
What Is the Procedure For Getting a Dental Filling?
If a tooth has been damaged by tooth decay, chips, or small fractures, a dentist may recommend a filling (more severe types of damage are often treated with dental crowns). After numbing the tooth, they’ll remove any damaged tooth structure and “fill” the area with a material that repairs the tooth’s function and appearance.
While metal fillings were once commonplace, tooth-colored composite has been the material of choice for the last several decades. Many patients prefer this type of filling for aesthetic reasons, but it has the added benefit of chemically bonding with the surrounding tooth. This prevents cavity-causing bacteria from seeping in around the filling and leading to recurrent tooth decay. However, regardless of what type of material is used, fillings still need to be replaced eventually.
How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
One analogy that could be applied to dental work is a set of car tires. Even the highest-quality tires are subject to daily wear-and-tear and are given a certain mileage before a new set is needed. In the same way, fillings and other types of dental work have a certain “mileage” to them, after which they’ll need to be redone. On average, fillings last about 10-15 years.
During your checkups, a dentist examines all of your existing fillings to see if they’ve started breaking down or developed chips or cracks. Once this happens, the filling can no longer do its job of sealing out cavity-causing bacteria and will need to be replaced. You typically won’t have any indication that this is happening, particularly in the beginning stages. That’s why regular checkups are so important. In addition to examining your fillings with special instruments, routine X-rays are taken annually to check for problems underneath your fillings.
If a dentist does see signs of “filling failure,” they can be proactive by replacing it right away. This prevents recurrent tooth decay from progressing further and causing pain down the road. With routine visits, you’ll minimize your chances of needing major dental work and save yourself from the discomfort of a toothache at the same time!
About the Author
Dr. Joanne Bancroft is a family dentist with over 15 years of experience. With a commitment to proactive, preventive dental care, she thoroughly examines her patients’ existing dental work at each checkup to make sure it’s functioning the way it should. If you have any questions about dental fillings, you can reach Dr. Bancroft through her website.