When Do I Replace My Dental Fillings?

dental fillingHas it been a while since you had your cavities treated and fillings placed? If so, you may be wondering, "When do I replace my dental fillings?" This is a good and important question to ask because if a filling starts to have problems, it can lead to additional oral health consequences.

Pay attention to the signs

For example, if a filling becomes loose and a patient is unaware of it, food and plaque can stick in the areas between the filling and the actual tooth. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of fillings and , as appropriate. There are several factors that work together to answer this question.

What type of filling do you have?

The filling type will significantly impact when one will need to . For example, tooth-colored resin fillings are highly popular for their appearance but require frequent replacement. A patient with resin fillings may need to replace the fillings every seven to 10 years. Silver or amalgam fillings are also popular due to their durability and affordability, lasting an average of 15 years. Gold fillings are less popular because they are more expensive.

However, gold fillings can last the longest. Patients with gold fillings may find that they last for 30 years and never need replacement. These time frames are not the same for each individual. Someone with a resin filling could have it for 15 years, while another person needs to replace it after seven. Other factors like oral health, daily habits and even diet can contribute to the longevity of a filling.

Have you suffered other oral health problems?

Patients who have suffered other oral health problems like dental damage, additional decay or infections may find that they need to  more frequently. If oral health problems have impacted the tooth where a filling has been placed, that filling may come loose faster.

Do you have any signs that the filling could be in trouble?

There are several signs that a filling may need replacement, including:

  • Sensitive teeth can be a sign that the filling has cracked professional treatment
  • If a tooth hurts at the location of the filling, that means that the filling could have worn down and needed replacement
  • If the filling falls out, schedule an emergency dental appointment

Visit our clinic

The best way to find out, "When do I replace my dental fillings" is to call our clinic and schedule a dental examination. Upon inspecting your fillings, we can make a determination regarding how much longer they can last and when you need to plan on replacing them. It is always wise to replace them prior to a filling becoming loose, leaking or falling out, so this is an important appointment to make for your oral health.

Recent Posts

What To Know About Composite Dental Fillings

When someone develops a cavity, a dentist will likely suggest dental fillings to prevent infection and strengthen your tooth. Read on to learn more about dental fillings. Dental restorations may be made out of various materials, but the most frequent fillings are amalgam and composite resin. Amalgam was the most common filling material; however, composite…

Is A Dental Filling Always Required For Cavities?

Dental fillings can be costly and uncomfortable for many people. Because filling a cavity requires drilling the decayed tooth, people are often curious about what other ways a cavity can be treated.Traditionally, a cavity was treated by filling the tooth with a medically safe material to stop the decay from furthering. However, as dental technology…

What Does Routine Dental Care Mean?

Are you looking for more information about routine dental care? Visiting your dentist on a regular basis is vital to your having a healthy mouth. When your mouth is healthy, it is likely that the rest of your body is going to be healthy, too. Ready to find out how often you need to visit…

Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures To Improve Your Smile's Appearance

Cosmetic dentistry has become a widely popular field, especially in recent years. There are many options within cosmetic dentistry that can improve the appearance of your smile. Treatments exist for whitening teeth, reshaping teeth or even replacing missing teeth.Whether you want to brighten your smile or make some bigger changes, your dream smile is a…


Recent Posts

Broken Tooth:   Common Causes

Broken Tooth: 4 Common Causes

A broken tooth can be the result of many things, such as getting hit in the face while playing a contact sport. The severity of a broken tooth determines if it counts as a dental emergency. Minor breaks that only affect the outer layer of a tooth can wait a few weeks for treatment, but…

Clear Braces: A Discreet Solution For Crooked Teeth

Clear Braces: A Discreet Solution For Crooked Teeth

Clear braces are very similar to traditional metal braces, except clear braces have either tooth-colored or clear brackets. These brackets are made out of ceramic or another similar material. Because the brackets and wires blend in with your teeth, this type of braces offers a nearly unnoticeable solution for straightening your teeth, no matter what…