How Long Should Dental Fillings Last?

Want to stop tooth decay in its tracks? Dental fillings are among the best options to derail tooth decay. With this type of dental care, you remove any damaged part of your tooth and then fill it in with a suitable material. That protects and restores the tooth, preventing bacteria from reaching the sensitive pulp inside the tooth.

If you don’t get a filling when you need it, the decay can spread to the point that you need a root canal — or even a tooth extraction. In short, a filling is an excellent tool to have in your oral health arsenal.

There’s one thing you should know, though: Dental fillings don’t last forever. Here at Central Avenue Dental, our team primarily uses cosmetic resin for the fillings we provide. This material lasts for years, but eventually, you may need additional care for it. To discuss your filling options or have us examine a loose filling, visit us at our offices in Valley Stream, New York, or the Midtown area of Manhattan in New York City.

The typical timeline for fillings

In most cases, fillings last at least a decade. You can help your filling function for much longer than that. Practicing good oral hygiene, not chewing on hard items like ice and pens, and wearing protective gear during sports all help. 

If your tooth needs more support than a filling can provide, our team may recommend a dental onlay. Like a filling, the onlay can last a decade or more, especially with proper care. 

What to do when your filling needs attention

Although a dental filling gives you years and years with a healthy, sturdy tooth, as it nears the end of its lifespan, you might notice some signs. 

Indicators you should talk to our team about your filling include:

• Sensitivity in that tooth
• Feeling the filling moving around
• Discoloration
• Food getting stuck in the tooth

If any of these signs become noticeable, come see us. Loose fillings are typically easier to repair than a filling that’s fallen out — and they save you the pain of having the sensitive interior part of your tooth exposed. 

Our team offers oral exams for any fillings you have. Then, we make a plan for any needed care. 

We have many options for fixing old fillings. Sometimes, we can add bonding material to secure the filling in place. In other cases, your dentist removes the old filling, checks for any decay under where the filling was, and then places a new one. 

Fillings give you a long-lasting way to restore your tooth, but they don’t always last a lifetime. For the long-term care that you need to keep that tooth healthy and strong, we’re here. Call the office nearest you to schedule an appointment today.