Many different materials these days are used for dental fillings. What type of material is chosen for the dental filling will generally decide how long your filling is going to last. However, no filling can last for your whole lifetime. 

Therefore, it is necessary that one should make a regular visit to the dentist 4S Ranch or any other nearby dental clinic to get your dental conditions checked. Your dentist will decide when you must get your filling replaced again. 

If you really need a new filling or replacement filling, it is critical to weigh all of your options for materials and filling alternatives, and also to recognize tooth decay indications that signal a filling may perhaps be required.

It is also not very uncommon to have a certain amount of concern or fear while getting your cavity filled. In some cases, dental fillings do hurt, but mostly, they may cause very little or no discomfort while undergoing the procedure.

How long will a filling take?

Typically, any small fillings from the start to finish may take just 20 – 30 minutes. If the cavities are deeper or multiple in number then may take much longer to fill.

The following are the procedure that you may expect for any typical filling:

  • Your dentist Poway will first dry the area and then they will administer a certain numbing gel.
  • After your gum will be numb, the dentist will inject a certain local anesthetic. If the dentist is well-experienced, you will not feel hurt. Only a brief pinch may be felt while the anesthetic will begin to numb your gum, tooth, and jaw area.
  • Then your dentist will use a drill for removing the decay. Often many people are scared of the drill sound, which may be the really worst part of your experience. It is better to listen to any music with headphones that will mask the drilling sound and also reduce your tension.
  • After removing the decay, the hole is sterilized and filled. 
  • After your filling will be found to be in its place, your dentist then will check how you bite to ensure it is even. Then he will polish your tooth.

How long do the fillings last?

Your fillings may typically, last around ten years. Also, many dental fillings may last much longer. Besides the material used for filling, the following factors can also influence the life of your filling:

  • Your eating habits
  • Your dental hygiene
  • Trauma experienced to your tooth
  • Decays around the filling
  • Grinding your teeth while sleeping

As far as the materials are concerned, the following are the average duration of your various types of filling:

  • Amalgam: 15 years
  • Composite: 7 years
  • Ceramic: 15 years
  • Glass ionomer: 5 years

When you should replace your fillings?

You may be lucky enough if you never have to replace your filling. However, few of us may be lucky enough over our course of life. Often filling may either crack or wear out when it is no longer able to protect the tooth from any further decay. 

You may not perhaps notice the earliest signs of a problem with a filling, but the dentist can detect it at a normal visit.

Your dentist Rancho Bernardo will use a certain tool to probe all around your fillings to ensure that still it is sealed to your tooth and also see if any spots are there where bacteria may enter into the tooth and may cause further decay.

Also, dental X-rays can reveal any decay under your filling or any nearby areas. In case your filling appears to be no longer able to keep out bacteria and also support your tooth, then it will be time for replacing it.

Also, your sensitive or sore tooth may indicate that time has come for replacing a filling.

Whether diet can affect the duration of our fillings?

One of the most important determinants of the life of your fillings is how much sugar you consume. Biofilms can build on your fillings and may cause new cavities beneath existing fillings and also on otherwise healthy teeth if you consume sugar.

Biting down on your hard sweets, nuts, ice, and other hard items can cause your fillings and teeth to wear out faster. Beef jerky, gum, gummy vitamins or candies, and other sticky items that may pull on your fillings should also be avoided.

Additionally, liquids like coffee and tea can discolor composite fillings much like natural teeth.

When you must see a dentist?

If your oral health is in good shape, you may only need to see your dentist either once or twice a year. However, if you have dental problems such as periodontitis, you may need to visit the dentist many times a year for cleaning and checkup.

If you experience any of these symptoms or any complaints about your teeth and gums, the ADA (American Dental Association) recommends that you consult your dentist:

  • Whenever you floss or brush, bleeding or swollen gums 
  • Teeth sensitivity to cold and heat
  • Gem, teeth, or jaw pain
  • Loose tooth
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Spots or sores in your mouth
  • Persistent bad breath

The ADA also suggests that you should see a dentist regularly in case you have dental implants, crowns, dentures, and fillings.