My Dental Fillings Will Last A Lifetime, Right?

My Dental Fillings Will Last A Lifetime, Right?

Find out just how long dental fillings last and what you can do to prolong their life.

While we all wish that dental restorations lasted forever, unfortunately this isn’t the case. Dental fillings are a common restoration that is used to restore a tooth that has had a cavity. Perhaps you’ve just recently had a tooth filled or you’ve had one filled in the past, but one popular question that our Findlay, OH dentist, Dr. Krystal DeClerck, gets a lot is, “How long will my dental filling last?”

While we can never provide you with a definitive answer on how long your particular dental filling will last, we can tell you that a filling is not designed to last forever. Plus, there are several factors that may prolong or reduce the life of your filling.

The type of material used to create your filling will play a small part in the longevity of your restoration. While tooth-colored (composite) fillings can last for several years, amalgam (metal) fillings usually last about 12 years, on average. Amalgam fillings tend to last longer than composite fillings because the material is more durable and better at resisting damage from repeated jaw pressure and chewing forces over the long term.

Of course, maintaining good oral health is a major part of keeping your fillings and mouth healthy. Besides keeping up with your at-home oral care routine (make sure you are flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day), you should be visiting our Findlay general dentist for routine visits. During these visits, we can examine your fillings to make sure that they are still healthy and intact.

Fillings can also become damaged. If you notice that a filled tooth has suddenly become sensitive to hot or cold, or if you can see a visible crack in the filling, it’s time to make an appointment with us. And when it comes to caring for your smile at home, using fluoridated toothpastes and rinses can help prevent cavities in the future and help strengthen your tooth’s enamel so that your filling lasts as long as possible.

Turn to DeClerck Family Dental in Findlay, OH for all of your dental needs. Whether you just need to schedule your six-month cleaning or you want to discuss your smile makeover options, we are here for you.

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