Dental fillings are the standard way to treat cavities and restore your injured tooth’s function so you can continue using it to eat, speak, and smile confidently. But it’s natural to have questions about this treatment before proceeding, like how long the repair is likely to last.
Most people can expect their fillings to last between 5 and 15+ years, though their lifespan can vary significantly based on your unique circumstances. Continue reading to learn about 3 things that can potentially affect the longevity of your results so you can help maintain them!
Factor #1: What It’s Made From
Did you know that dental fillings can be made from different materials? For instance, dentists historically treated tooth decay with amalgam mixtures containing powdered metals, such as silver, tin or copper and about 50% liquid mercury as a bonding agent, making for an incredibly durable restoration.
But, today, most dentist place fillings made from biocompatible composite resin, which can be color-matched to your smile. This upgraded material might not be naturally as strong as metal, but it bonds directly with your enamel to preserve more of the natural strength and structure of your tooth. As a result, this treatment often lasts just as long as its metallic counterparts.
Factor #2: Your Dietary Decisions
The types of food you eat can also potentially affect the lifespan of your dental filling. For example, if you consume lots of sugary foods and drinks, you’re more likely to develop oral issues, like cavities and gum disease, that can compromise your teeth and cause any existing dental work to fail.
You might also accidentally damage your restoration if you eat too many hard, crunchy, or sticky foods, which can wear it down, destabilize it, or dislodge it. Thankfully, this can often be easily avoided by enjoying a variety of wholesome foods to support your oral and overall health.
Factor #3: Your Oral Hygiene Habits
Your filling can also be significantly affected by your dental hygiene routine, or lack thereof. For instance, if you regularly neglect daily cleanings, you’re significantly more likely to develop progressive dental problems that can affect your filling or cause it to fail.
Meanwhile, brushing and flossing twice daily consistently helps remove plaque and bacteria that cause tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues. This helps prevent problems that might otherwise damage your repair or the tooth it’s protecting.
If you still have questions about how to help maintain your recently placed dental filling, you can learn more by contacting your dentist’s office directly!
About the Practice
At Advanced Dental Concepts, you and your loved ones benefit from two dentists who are passionate about helping you build beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Hayes and Dr. Lent collaborate to provide a complete menu of services, including tooth-colored fillings, to meet your family’s unique needs conveniently under one roof. Their caring approach is paired with advanced technology to deliver comfortable, accurate treatment results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (219) 926-7595.