“How many times can a filling be replaced?”
I am a 24 year old female and I had a filling yesterday. I want to know how many times can a filling be replaced?
3 Answers
It depends on how much of the tooth is removed and what size the filling is. Once a majority of the tooth is removed is when you would no longer be able to receive another filling. At that point, you would need a crown.
As often as it needs to be replaced until it gets too big and then will need a crown.
Hello,
It is very forward thinking to wonder how many times a filling can be replaced! The short answer to this is as many times as needed. However, life does not work out the way we want it to in theory.
The size and location of the filling is going to dictate a lot when it comes to how many times a filling can be replaced. First of all, a filling is generally only replaced when it is failing. A filling can fail from leaking or another cavity around the filling. If the filling fails because it is leaking this usually means that there is minimal damage to the tooth around the filling and just the filling material needs to be removed. However, if the filling is failing because there is a cavity around the filling, the old filling and the new cavity both need to be removed. This means the size of the filling is going to get bigger. The cavity can only get so big before other treatment modalities (crowns, root canals, etc.) are required. Usually the filling can be replaced a handful of times before this stage manifests.
The location and size of the filling can change things a bit. If the filling is in an area of the tooth that is down by the gum line and is moderate in size it is going to be hard to replace if another cavity starts around the filling. This may mean it has to go right to a crown instead of replacing the filling.
Do not worry so. Following up at the dentist every 6 months for cleanings and check ups (these are the things the dentist is looking at during the check ups) is the best way to ensure the filling never has to be replaced. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
It is very forward thinking to wonder how many times a filling can be replaced! The short answer to this is as many times as needed. However, life does not work out the way we want it to in theory.
The size and location of the filling is going to dictate a lot when it comes to how many times a filling can be replaced. First of all, a filling is generally only replaced when it is failing. A filling can fail from leaking or another cavity around the filling. If the filling fails because it is leaking this usually means that there is minimal damage to the tooth around the filling and just the filling material needs to be removed. However, if the filling is failing because there is a cavity around the filling, the old filling and the new cavity both need to be removed. This means the size of the filling is going to get bigger. The cavity can only get so big before other treatment modalities (crowns, root canals, etc.) are required. Usually the filling can be replaced a handful of times before this stage manifests.
The location and size of the filling can change things a bit. If the filling is in an area of the tooth that is down by the gum line and is moderate in size it is going to be hard to replace if another cavity starts around the filling. This may mean it has to go right to a crown instead of replacing the filling.
Do not worry so. Following up at the dentist every 6 months for cleanings and check ups (these are the things the dentist is looking at during the check ups) is the best way to ensure the filling never has to be replaced. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
