“How long do composite fillings last?”
I am a 32 year old female. I want to know how long do composite fillings last?
11 Answers
It depends on how the patient takes care of their teeth also depends on how big the restoration is. So it varies. If the mouth is very acidic, will not last long.
This is a commonly asked question, it can vary, your dental health, oral hygiene, and the treatment itself are all factors of longevity. I have seen composites that are ten years old that look great and others that need replacement. In my opinion it is the material of choice for smaller dental restorations as I can be very conservative with tooth removal to place a composite. I personally do not use amalgam anymore. Well placed composites can give many years of service, however if there is a larger filling or weak tooth structure around the filling a crown would be the better choice for longevity and tooth protection.
Schedule an evaluation today- See you at the office Dr Joe Ferraro
Schedule an evaluation today- See you at the office Dr Joe Ferraro
I estimate in my consumer book, Change Your Smile, that they can last from 5-8 years. However, they can last much longer if you are careful with your eating habits. If you are a grinder (bruxism), they may not give you average life. And finally, seek a dentist who is skilled with esthetic and restorative dentistry.
Generally, we assume resin fillings to last around 5 plus years, but a lot depends on several factors: the individual’s home care, diet, and how the dentist applies it, has all decay been removed, etc. We have seen resin in the mouth after 10-15 years holding just fine.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Silver amalgam fillings are considered successful if they last 10 years. Composites should last that long, but if moisture or saliva contaminates them during placement, they can fail prematurely and, unfortunately, the average lifetime before decay recurs is less than eight years, I think. Much depends on diet, hygiene, how cavity prone you are from a genetic standpoint, and the quality of care, materials, and techniques of the treating dentist. It is sad that newer materials don’t last as long as older silver fillings, and many dentists are careless as well as many patients have horrible diets.
There is actually like most dental prosthesis and restorations a broad of longevity. Insurance companies will pay to replace approximately every two years. Some patients have had composite restorations last 30 yrs. Average is about 7-10 years. The better the patient does with proper maintenance (flossing, brushing, diet, recare appointments), the longer they last.
The life expectancy of a composite filling varies based on size, oral habits and oral hygiene of the patient. Ask your American Dental Association Dentist that is placing your fillings what he thinks the life expectancy is.
Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S.
Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S.
3-5 years in the biting surfaces of molar teeth
This is a loaded question. Where in the mouth is it, is it a large or a small filling, will it be under a lot of function, do you grind or clench your teeth, how is your home care, how is your diet and list goes on.
I would like you to know it doesn’t matter how good your dentist is, if you don’t do the very best job with everything that you should be doing then you will increase the likelihood of failure sooner than later.
Jon Engel, DDS
I would like you to know it doesn’t matter how good your dentist is, if you don’t do the very best job with everything that you should be doing then you will increase the likelihood of failure sooner than later.
Jon Engel, DDS
The average composite filling lasts 8.9 years. They can last longer if the cause of the original decay is eliminated. The most common cause is too frequent consumption of carbohydrates. Consider upgrading to an inlay. It will cost more but last much longer.
Hello,
Composite fillings can last a lifetime. However, that does not mean that they will last a life time. Putting a timeline on how long any type of filling will last is difficult because there are a lot of variables that can cause a filling to fail (The size of the filling, the location of the filling, the specific tooth the filling is on, the type of composite the is used for the filling, the types of food the person likes to eat, the amount of brushing and flossing, etc.).
That being said, most studies have shown that the average lifespan for a composite filling is just over 10 years (just a little short of silver fillings). It is important to understand that this is an average over the population, and all the variables mentioned above. There have been plenty of people that have had fillings for over 30 years and they are still intact. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Composite fillings can last a lifetime. However, that does not mean that they will last a life time. Putting a timeline on how long any type of filling will last is difficult because there are a lot of variables that can cause a filling to fail (The size of the filling, the location of the filling, the specific tooth the filling is on, the type of composite the is used for the filling, the types of food the person likes to eat, the amount of brushing and flossing, etc.).
That being said, most studies have shown that the average lifespan for a composite filling is just over 10 years (just a little short of silver fillings). It is important to understand that this is an average over the population, and all the variables mentioned above. There have been plenty of people that have had fillings for over 30 years and they are still intact. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
