How long do fillings last will typically depend on the materials used and the type of fillings, when to knows the need of what to be replaced, and what step you can take to help your fillings Last longer.

Dental fillings can be made from several different kinds of material, and the type of filling you have has gone a long way determining how long it will last.

Filling usually don’t last a long time, so getting dental check-up can help determined when a filling might have to be replaced.

Whether you need a new or replacement filling, it’s important to consider all your options when it’s comes to material or alternative to filling, as well as to identify tooth decay symptoms that indicates a filling may be necessary.

HOW LONG DO FILLINGS LAST?

It‘s has been reported by researchers that filling last for 10 years. Many restoration (the clinical term for dental fillings last much longer.
Factor affecting lifespan of filling include:

• Dental hygiene.
• Your eating habits.
• Trauma to your tooth.
• Decay around the filling.
• Grinding your teeth why sleeping.

Though several factors affect the durability of filing, the material used give a good idea on how a particular filling last.

TYPES OF FILLINGS AND THEIR AVERAGE DURATION 

There are four types of filling but two are most common which are: Composite filling and Amalgam filling.

1. COMPOSITE FILLING

Composite fillings are popular because it’s color match with the surrounding Color of the teeth. They’re made from combination of ceramic resins and acrylic.

Composite fillings chemically bond with the surrounding tooth with adhesive,but last an average of 7 years.

According to 2010 research from 2014 as shown it can last up to 10 years or more if filling are smaller and patient have good health.

They materials used for composite fillings are used to repair chipped teeth and fill in small gaps between teeth.

2. AMALGAM FILLING

This is also been known as silver filling, though the contain more metal than just silver. They’re an amalgam or just mixture of of sliver, copper, and tin alloy particles as well as elemental Mercury.

Dentist have been using amalgam filling for more than 15 years and they remain the least expensive type of filling you have and may likely also be the most durable.

A 2016 research found that average age of an amalgam filling at the time it’s needed to be replaced was about 15 years, give or take 6 years on average.

Another research from 2008 put the survival rate of amalgam filling provide by private dental practices between 7.1 to 44.7 years. With mercury amalgam filling, there may be a risk if toxicity.

You should not have a mercury amalgam filling if you:

• Are under 6 years.
• Have an allergy to mercury.
• Have a neurological condition or kidney problem.
• Are planning to be pregnant, pregnant or breast feeding.

3. CERAMIC AND GLASS IONOMER FILLING 

Ceramic filling are made with a type of porcelain and last up to 15 years or longer.However they’re more expensive than gold restoration and are among the least type of filling available.

Ceramic filling needs to be made by a milling machine or a dental lab and glue into tooth.

Glass ionomer filling are made with a kind of acrylic and glass, and can be placed directly to the tooth which last about 5 years.

4. GOLD FILLING 

As you can imagine, gold filling are much more expensive than amalgam and composite fillings and are also more durable which last an average of 20 years according to American dental association(ADA).

WHEN SHOULD FILLING BE REPLACED

You might be fortunate enough to not need a filling replacement. Over the cause of your life, a filling may crack or wear down, to appoint it no longer protecting the tooth from decaying and sometimes a filling falls out and need replacement.

You might not be able to notice when filling have problem at first, but your dentist should be able to spot it out during routine check-up.

Your dentist uses a tool call explorer to probe around the edges of the filling to make sure it’s still sealed to the tooth to see if there’s a spot where Bacteria can penetrate and cause further delay.

Dental x-rays can also reveal decay under filling or any where nearby. If it’s appeared, the filing is no longer keeping out Bacteria and supporting the tooth, it’s time for replacement.

A sore and responsible tooth can also indicate it time for replacement but you don’t want to wait until then before you have your fillings routinely examine.

RELATED: SEDATION DENTISTRY

CAN MY DIET AFFECT HOW LONG MY FILLING LAST? 

Eating sugary food is one of the biggest predictors of how long your filling will last. Sugar can make easy for biofilms grow on your fillings and create new cavities underneath existing fillings as well as on previously healthy teeth.

Biting down on hard candy, ice, and other hard food can increase the tear and wear on your fillings and your teeth.

You should also avoid beef gummy candy or vitamin and other stingy food that may pull on your fillings.
Also if you have beverage like coffee and tea, can stain them just as the natural teeth.

ARE THERE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL FILLING? YES

While the best alternative traditional filling is to prevent tooth decay and the need for filling in the first place, other documents in recent years have given dentist some new options.

1. THIOURETHANE-MODIFIED COMPOSITE 

Researchers at Oregon health and science university have developed a new fillings containing thiourethane, which makes it two times more resistant to fracture than standard composite fillings. The researchers also develop a dental adhesive (a glue to hold a composite filling in) that contain a polymer call methacrylamides.

Research shows that methacrylamides are 30 percent stronger than current materials after 6 month of use, metharylamides may also be more resistant to enzymes and bacteria in the month. Combined, methacrylamides may have the potential to make your filling stronger.

Most testing of these materials need to be performed before they’re available in dental offices.

2. CROWN OR VENEERA

Crown or veneer may also be more appropriate. A dentist can remove part of the decaying tooth and cover it with a crown that looks like a tooth but us made of resin, metal and porcelain.

3. SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE (SDF) 

Product known as SDF, is an antibiotic liquid that’s apply to a tooth that already has some sensitivity or decay. SDF can help prevent further decay, but if the tooth has already experience considerable decay, a traditional filling may be necessary.

4. ROOT CANAL THERAPY

In cases where a filling wouldn’t be enough to save a tooth, your dentist may recommend root canal therapy which is done by removing the inside of the tooth root and putting a special rubbery filler into the tooth to preserve it.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

 If you have a good dental health, seeing your doctor once or twice a year ia sufficient but if you have dental issues like periodontitis( gum disease),you may need regular cleaning a check-up few times a year.

The ADA recommend seeing your dentist if you have any of the following signs of other complain related to gums or teeth:

• Loose teeth.
• Persistent bad breath.
• Sores or spot in your mouth.

The ADA also recommend seeing a dentist regularly if you have a dental, implants, crown, dentures, and filling

Conclusion

Once you get a filling, the clock start his long it will last. It may last a lifetime or need to be replaced in a few years. On average a filling should last a decade or more, some dentist offer warranty of about 1 to 2 years on new fillings.

Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and eating a balanced diet can also extend the life span of filling.