The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 9 out of 10 people older than 20 have developed an infection in an existing tooth. Cavities in teeth can only be fixed by having the decayed areas extracted. A dental filling is the typical treatment.
Even though fillings are supposed to be a long-term fix for cavities, they might break, shift, or wear out over time. Throughout their lives, most adults will require at least one replacement. Dental fillings should be replaced at your dentist’s discretion.
Dentists often will not remove existing fillings simply because of their age. Instead, they consider the patient’s dental hygiene routine and the filling material. In particular, they watch for any indication that the filling has stopped doing its job to prevent further degradation.
Signs Your Dental Filling Needs Replacing
The best strategy to extend the life of a cavity dental filling is to maintain good oral hygiene. Fillings, however, typically require replacement after some time.
Several signs indicate that replacing a patient’s outdated fillings may be necessary in order to prevent further issues with your smile. Regular dental exams allow your dentist to keep an eye on any existing fillings. Their highly trained eyes can spot teeth that need to be cared for, and then they can address the problem promptly.
That said, these symptoms may necessitate getting a new filling:
- Your teeth hurt when you eat cold or hot foods or brush them.
- The filler has obvious flaws, like chips or cracks.
- When biting down, the filled tooth hurts.
- You recently broke a filled tooth.
- It’s time to make an emergency dentist appointment since your filling is loose or missing.
Seeing a dentist in Meadows should be a priority if you find yourself dealing with any of these issues. When teeth have cavities, fillings are used to prevent further tooth decay. Damaged or loose fillings should be replaced as soon as possible.
If you put off seeing a dentist for too long, you risk having another cavity form in your tooth. Too much decay in a tooth could make a filling unnecessary. You may need to get a crown and root canal instead.
How Many Times Can You Replace a Single Filling?
An individual dental filling can be replaced as often as necessary to maintain dental health and address any issues. Working with your dentist to diagnose and treat the condition is essential.
However, if you need to change your fillings frequently, it could be a sign that something is wrong with the filling or the tooth. The best course of treatment will be determined after your dentist evaluates the filling and the overall health of your tooth.
Multiple cavity-filling treatments may be performed. For instance, even if the material has a lifespan of as long as fifteen years, that doesn’t guarantee that your tooth won’t need to be replaced before then. Your dentist may decide to refill your tooth multiple times for various reasons, including:
- If your dental fillings are coming loose, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
- Getting a new one is critical so bacteria can’t get stuck between the old one and the tooth and cause an infection.
- Broken fillings might make your teeth sensitive since dental filling materials are easily damaged.
- You might expect to have a damaged filling replaced at your dental checkup.
- Sensitivity might develop after having fillings inserted because of leakage.
- You should get checked out to see if the fillings cause the sensitivity.
- Dental fillings that have worn down over time must be replaced like natural teeth.
How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
Filling materials vary in durability, meaning that their lifespan also varies. See below for the average lifespan of the primary types of dental fillings:
- Amalgam for 15 years
- Composite Resin for 7–10 years
- Ceramic for 15 years
- Gold for 15–30 years
- Glass Ionomer for 5-7 years
Again, everyone’s case is different. Your dentist may need to replace tooth fillings sooner or later compared to others.
Poor diets high in sugar and inadequate brushing can increase the risk of cavities arising beneath or around fillings. Biting ice or hard confectionery might break fillings. Grinding teeth at night or clenching the jaw wears out most dental fillings. Regardless of age, these factors can cause a dentist to replace a permanent tooth filling.
Contact Us to Find Out More
Traditional and teeth-gap fillings near you are just a few restorative treatments we provide here at our community dental office. Don’t put off seeing a dentist if you’re experiencing issues with your filling; if you do, another cavity may form and cause more severe damage than has already been done.
Make an appointment here at SouthSide Dental! Our team is excited to meet you and get started!
