Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Long They LastReplacing FillingsSigns for Needing ReplacementPreventing Tooth Decay
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Long They Last
Replacing Fillings
Signs for Needing Replacement
Preventing Tooth Decay
Dental fillings are routine restorative dental treatments. They are placed in cavities (small areas of tooth decay or damage) in tooth enamel (the thin outer layer of your teeth). The process involves replacing the damaged area of the tooth with a protective substance. This restores the damaged tooth’s function and structure. It also prevents the spread of tooth decay.
While dental fillings are meant to last for years, most need replacement eventually. The lifespan of a dental filling varies among differenttypes of fillings. Other issues, such as oral habits, filling location, and diet, can also affect how long a filling lasts before it needs replacement.
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How Long Types of Fillings Last
The material used affects the durability of a filling. Here is how long different types of fillings are expected to last before needing replacement.
Silver Amalgam Fillings
Silver amalgam fillings consist of a combination of metals that include silver, mercury, tin, and copper. These silver-colored fillings are very durable and less expensive than other types of fillings.
A 2016 paper indicates that the average age of a silver amalgam filling at the time it needs replacement is about 15 years, with a range of nine to 21 years.Older research indicates that silver amalgam fillings have a lifespan that ranges between seven and 45 years.
Because they resist wear and tear, silver amalgam fillings are often the best option for largecavitiesor cavities in your back teeth where you need a lot of force to chew. However, the fact that silver fillings do not match your natural tooth color can be a disadvantage when filling teeth at the front of your mouth or other highly visible areas.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that mercury-containing amalgam fillings may pose a greater potential health risk for people in certain groups. These groups should avoid getting dental amalgam fillings:
FDA Does Not Advise Replacing Mercury-Containing Amalgam Fillings in Good ConditionThe FDA continues to review the scientific evidence about mercury-containing amalgam fillings and concerns from the public.The FDA does not recommend replacing mercury-containing amalgam fillings that are in good condition on a tooth that doesn’t have decay beneath the filling.This includes people in groups at a potentially greater risk if exposed to mercury vapor. Removing a filling may temporarily increase mercury vapor exposure, so it should not be done unless replacement is medically necessary.
FDA Does Not Advise Replacing Mercury-Containing Amalgam Fillings in Good Condition
The FDA continues to review the scientific evidence about mercury-containing amalgam fillings and concerns from the public.The FDA does not recommend replacing mercury-containing amalgam fillings that are in good condition on a tooth that doesn’t have decay beneath the filling.This includes people in groups at a potentially greater risk if exposed to mercury vapor. Removing a filling may temporarily increase mercury vapor exposure, so it should not be done unless replacement is medically necessary.
The FDA continues to review the scientific evidence about mercury-containing amalgam fillings and concerns from the public.
The FDA does not recommend replacing mercury-containing amalgam fillings that are in good condition on a tooth that doesn’t have decay beneath the filling.This includes people in groups at a potentially greater risk if exposed to mercury vapor. Removing a filling may temporarily increase mercury vapor exposure, so it should not be done unless replacement is medically necessary.
Composite Resin Fillings
Composite resin fillings that are designed to resemble the color of your teeth consist of a synthetic resin base and powdered quartz, silica, or glass. These types of fillings are used more often than amalgam and gold fillings, likely because their color can be matched to the color of your surrounding teeth for a more natural appearance.
Composite resin fillings provide adequate durability, though they are considered less stable than silver amalgam fillings. Research indicates that at least 50% of resin composite fillings last more than 10 years with proper application and maintenance.
While they are not as strong as silver amalgam, composite resin fillings can be used on either front or back teeth. They resist fracture in small to midsize fillings that endure moderate pressure from chewing.
Though they have a better appearance than silver-colored fillings, composite resin fillings are typically more costly. They also take longer to apply.
Gold Fillings
Gold fillings, also called gold inlays or onlays, consist of an alloy of gold, copper, and other metals. They are considered the most durable type of filling, with an expected lifespan of up to 20 years.
However, they are also the most expensive since they require multiple office visits, utilize a precious metal, and are manufactured in a dental laboratory from a model of your teeth rather than in a dental office.
While they offer optimal durability, gold fillings are less common today. Their high cost, additional treatment time, and unnatural color make them less preferable than other effective options.
Gold fillings require a good technique for placement, so if you want them, ensure your dental care provider is proficient and experienced in placing them to avoid problems.
Ceramic Fillings
Ceramic fillings, also called porcelain inlays or onlays, are made of porcelain. They are aesthetically attractive since they can be made to match your natural tooth color. Ceramic fillings are also more resistant totooth stainingand abrasion than composite resin. Older research indicates that ceramic fillings have an expected lifespan of eight to 10 years.
While reasonably durable, ceramic fillings are typically more expensive than other types of fillings. They are also more brittle, so a ceramic filling has to be larger to prevent it from breaking. To accommodate a ceramic filling, the tooth must be drilled to make a large enough opening in which to fit the filling. Unfortunately, the larger the filling, the weaker the underlying tooth can become.
Glass Ionomer Fillings
Glass ionomer fillings can have a range of compositions, but the chief ingredients are alumina, silica, and calcium. A source offluorideis usually incorporated and released over time to offer protection against further tooth decay.
Glass ionomer fillings are fairly weak and more likely to crack or wear out than other types of fillings. They have an expected duration of only a few years.
Factors Influencing How Long a Filling LastsIn addition to the type of substance used, the following factors can affect how long a filling lasts:SmokingDrinking sugary beveragesBruxism(teeth grinding and clenching)Xerostomia(dry mouth)Low level of resistance to cavitiesDental hygieneTooth fracture or other traumaTooth location (teeth used for biting instead of chewing experience more stress from eating)Size of the cavity (the larger the cavity, the shorter the lifespan of the filling)
Factors Influencing How Long a Filling Lasts
In addition to the type of substance used, the following factors can affect how long a filling lasts:SmokingDrinking sugary beveragesBruxism(teeth grinding and clenching)Xerostomia(dry mouth)Low level of resistance to cavitiesDental hygieneTooth fracture or other traumaTooth location (teeth used for biting instead of chewing experience more stress from eating)Size of the cavity (the larger the cavity, the shorter the lifespan of the filling)
In addition to the type of substance used, the following factors can affect how long a filling lasts:
Maximum Filler Replacement on Same Tooth
There is no specific number of times that filler replacement can be performed on the same tooth. However, each filling replacement requires additional removal of the tooth’s structure, creating a larger hole.
Removing too much of the tooth’s structure may create a tooth that holds more filling material than your natural tooth substance. In this case, your tooth may be too weak to support a filling. Other options such as dental crowns, root canals, or dental implants may be advised when replacing a filling is not possible.
Your dentist’s decision to repair or replace a damaged or deteriorated filling depends on the characteristics of your specific case. Financial needs and treatment time may affect the final decision.
Common reasons you may need a filling replaced include:
Signs It’s Time for Another Filling
Attending regular dental checkups is the best way to identify early signs of filling deterioration. During these visits, your dentist examines your fillings and other dental restorations for signs of needed repair or restoration.
You may experience symptoms of a damaged or deteriorating filling. Contact your dentist if you have any of the following symptoms that might indicate a problem with a filling:
How Long Does a Filling Take?The amount of time needed to get a filling depends on the type of filling used. In most cases, a dental filling takes about an hour or less to complete.Getting a direct vs. an indirect filling, as explained here, can also impact the amount of time it takes to complete your treatment:Direct fillingsuse conventional techniques in which your dentist places restorative material, such as silver amalgam or composite, directly into your tooth. These procedures are done in a single office visit.Indirect fillingsuse cast gold or ceramics (porcelain). They require impressions and laboratory work before the repair is made. At least two office visits are required for these fillings: one to take the impression and one to apply the filling. However, many dental offices have their own labs and may be able to offer both steps in one extended same-day visit.
How Long Does a Filling Take?
The amount of time needed to get a filling depends on the type of filling used. In most cases, a dental filling takes about an hour or less to complete.Getting a direct vs. an indirect filling, as explained here, can also impact the amount of time it takes to complete your treatment:Direct fillingsuse conventional techniques in which your dentist places restorative material, such as silver amalgam or composite, directly into your tooth. These procedures are done in a single office visit.Indirect fillingsuse cast gold or ceramics (porcelain). They require impressions and laboratory work before the repair is made. At least two office visits are required for these fillings: one to take the impression and one to apply the filling. However, many dental offices have their own labs and may be able to offer both steps in one extended same-day visit.
The amount of time needed to get a filling depends on the type of filling used. In most cases, a dental filling takes about an hour or less to complete.Getting a direct vs. an indirect filling, as explained here, can also impact the amount of time it takes to complete your treatment:
After Filling: Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay
You can prevent tooth decay with the following strategies:
Limit between-meal snacksthat contain sugar orstarches.Every time you consume sugar or starches, the bacteria in your mouth use these substances to produce acids that attack your tooth’s enamel. Limiting the number of times you eat foods containing sugar and starch reduces the number of acid attacks on your teeth, so you are giving them time to repair themselves between meals.
Summary
While some types of fillings are likely to last longer than others, choosing the type of filling that lasts the longest is not the only factor to consider. Filling color, price, and the location of the tooth can also affect the type of filling a dentist advises.
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18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Penn Dental Family Practice University of Pennsylvania.Do fillings and crowns get rid of cavities - for good?American Dental Association.Fillings (silver-colored).Kirsch J, Tchorz J, Hellwig E, et. al.Decision criteria for replacement of fillings: a retrospective study.Clin Exp Dent Res. 2016;2(2):121–128. doi:10.1002/cre2.30Antony K, Genser D, Hiebinger C, Windisch F.Longevity of dental amalgam in comparison to composite materials.GMS Health Technol Assess. 2008;4:Doc12.Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues recommendations for certain high-risk groups regarding mercury-containing dental amalgam.Environmental Protection Agency.Health effects of exposure to mercury.American Dental Association.Fillings (tooth colored).Demarco FF, Collares K, Correa MB, Cenci MS, Moraes RR, Opdam NJ.Should my composite restorations last forever? Why are they failing?Braz Oral Res. 2017;31(suppl 1):e56. doi:10.1590/1807-3107BOR-2017.vol31.0056American Dental Association.Fillings (gold inlays).Hopp C, Land.Considerations for ceramic inlays in posterior teeth: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2013:21. doi:10.2147/ccide.s42016Oral Health Foundation.Different filling materials.Lohbauer U.Dental glass ionomer cements as permanent filling materials? – properties, limitations and future trends.Materials. 2009;3(1):76-96. doi:10.3390/ma3010076Kodzaeva ZS, Turkina AY, Doroshina VY.Otdalennye rezul’taty restavratsii zubov kompozitnymi materialami svetovogo otverzhdeniia: obzor literatury [The long-term results of teeth restoration with composite resin materials: a systematic literature review].Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2019;98(3):117-122. Russian. doi:10.17116/stomat201998031117Sharif MO, Merry A, Catleugh M, et al.Replacement versus repair of defective restorations in adults: amalgam. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014(2):CD005970. doi:10.1002/14651858Dental Health Society.How often do dental fillings need to be replaced?Colgate.How long does it take to fill a cavity?Sequeira‐Byron P, Fedorowicz Z, Carter B, Nasser M, Alrowaili EF.Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root‐filled teeth.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2015;9: Art. No.:CD009109. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009109.pub3National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.The tooth decay process: how to reverse it and avoid a cavity.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Penn Dental Family Practice University of Pennsylvania.Do fillings and crowns get rid of cavities - for good?American Dental Association.Fillings (silver-colored).Kirsch J, Tchorz J, Hellwig E, et. al.Decision criteria for replacement of fillings: a retrospective study.Clin Exp Dent Res. 2016;2(2):121–128. doi:10.1002/cre2.30Antony K, Genser D, Hiebinger C, Windisch F.Longevity of dental amalgam in comparison to composite materials.GMS Health Technol Assess. 2008;4:Doc12.Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues recommendations for certain high-risk groups regarding mercury-containing dental amalgam.Environmental Protection Agency.Health effects of exposure to mercury.American Dental Association.Fillings (tooth colored).Demarco FF, Collares K, Correa MB, Cenci MS, Moraes RR, Opdam NJ.Should my composite restorations last forever? Why are they failing?Braz Oral Res. 2017;31(suppl 1):e56. doi:10.1590/1807-3107BOR-2017.vol31.0056American Dental Association.Fillings (gold inlays).Hopp C, Land.Considerations for ceramic inlays in posterior teeth: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2013:21. doi:10.2147/ccide.s42016Oral Health Foundation.Different filling materials.Lohbauer U.Dental glass ionomer cements as permanent filling materials? – properties, limitations and future trends.Materials. 2009;3(1):76-96. doi:10.3390/ma3010076Kodzaeva ZS, Turkina AY, Doroshina VY.Otdalennye rezul’taty restavratsii zubov kompozitnymi materialami svetovogo otverzhdeniia: obzor literatury [The long-term results of teeth restoration with composite resin materials: a systematic literature review].Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2019;98(3):117-122. Russian. doi:10.17116/stomat201998031117Sharif MO, Merry A, Catleugh M, et al.Replacement versus repair of defective restorations in adults: amalgam. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014(2):CD005970. doi:10.1002/14651858Dental Health Society.How often do dental fillings need to be replaced?Colgate.How long does it take to fill a cavity?Sequeira‐Byron P, Fedorowicz Z, Carter B, Nasser M, Alrowaili EF.Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root‐filled teeth.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2015;9: Art. No.:CD009109. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009109.pub3National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.The tooth decay process: how to reverse it and avoid a cavity.
Penn Dental Family Practice University of Pennsylvania.Do fillings and crowns get rid of cavities - for good?
American Dental Association.Fillings (silver-colored).
Kirsch J, Tchorz J, Hellwig E, et. al.Decision criteria for replacement of fillings: a retrospective study.Clin Exp Dent Res. 2016;2(2):121–128. doi:10.1002/cre2.30
Antony K, Genser D, Hiebinger C, Windisch F.Longevity of dental amalgam in comparison to composite materials.GMS Health Technol Assess. 2008;4:Doc12.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues recommendations for certain high-risk groups regarding mercury-containing dental amalgam.
Environmental Protection Agency.Health effects of exposure to mercury.
American Dental Association.Fillings (tooth colored).
Demarco FF, Collares K, Correa MB, Cenci MS, Moraes RR, Opdam NJ.Should my composite restorations last forever? Why are they failing?Braz Oral Res. 2017;31(suppl 1):e56. doi:10.1590/1807-3107BOR-2017.vol31.0056
American Dental Association.Fillings (gold inlays).
Hopp C, Land.Considerations for ceramic inlays in posterior teeth: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2013:21. doi:10.2147/ccide.s42016
Oral Health Foundation.Different filling materials.
Lohbauer U.Dental glass ionomer cements as permanent filling materials? – properties, limitations and future trends.Materials. 2009;3(1):76-96. doi:10.3390/ma3010076
Kodzaeva ZS, Turkina AY, Doroshina VY.Otdalennye rezul’taty restavratsii zubov kompozitnymi materialami svetovogo otverzhdeniia: obzor literatury [The long-term results of teeth restoration with composite resin materials: a systematic literature review].Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2019;98(3):117-122. Russian. doi:10.17116/stomat201998031117
Sharif MO, Merry A, Catleugh M, et al.Replacement versus repair of defective restorations in adults: amalgam. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014(2):CD005970. doi:10.1002/14651858
Dental Health Society.How often do dental fillings need to be replaced?
Colgate.How long does it take to fill a cavity?
Sequeira‐Byron P, Fedorowicz Z, Carter B, Nasser M, Alrowaili EF.Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root‐filled teeth.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2015;9: Art. No.:CD009109. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009109.pub3
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.The tooth decay process: how to reverse it and avoid a cavity.
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