How long do dental fillings last?
Tooth-colored dental fillings usually last at least a decade, and can last even longer with proper care and maintenance, including good home oral hygiene and regular dental evaluations and cleanings.
When a tooth develops a cavity, the decay will continue to spread over time, compromising the tooth structure and your overall oral health.
Smiles On The Upper Westside provides dental fillings in the UWS neighborhood of NYC. Call 212-222-5225 to schedule your first appointment.
By taking a proactive approach and treating cavities early, we can prevent the need for more complex and costly restorative dental procedures like crowns, root canals, bridges, and dental implants.
Teeth that only have a small amount of decay can be restored with a dental filling. The area of decay is removed, then a filling is placed to restore function, strength, and appearance. At Smiles on the Upper Westside, we use aesthetic tooth-colored fillings for a natural look.
Tooth Colored Fillings
While metal (amalgam) fillings used to be common, tooth-colored composite material is now the most recommended filling material. The composite material blends in with the natural tooth and is less noticeable than a metal filling. The tooth-colored filling is not as affected by heat and cold as the metal fillings, so the patient is less likely to experience temperature-related sensitivity.
Another important reason composite fillings have replaced amalgam fillings is that they do not use mercury, which was present in metal fillings. Many patients are choosing to have their older amalgam fillings replaced with tooth-colored fillings for this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Fillings
What is the best tooth filling to get?
Tooth-colored composite fillings are the recommended dental filling these days, both for their safety and for their discreet appearance.
Are white fillings strong?
Today’s white fillings are much stronger than they were when they were first introduced. Advances in technology have resulted in a more durable restoration that will stand the test of time.
Do fillings weaken teeth?
No, they do the opposite—they strengthen your teeth! By replacing the decayed tooth structure, dental fillings restore strength and function to teeth that were compromised by cavities.
What happens when you get cavities filled?
The first step in getting a cavity filled is numbing the area with local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. Next, the area of decay is removed with a dental drill. Your tooth is cleaned, then the filling is placed, cured, and filed for a smooth feel and comfortable bite.
Can a deep cavity be filled?
If you have a very deep cavity, you may need to have a crown instead of a dental filling. When decay reaches the pulp of a tooth, a root canal is needed, followed by a dental filling or crown to restore strength and function.