How Long Do Dental Fillings Last

The thought of a white, strong and healthy smile is a gift often appreciated, but the thought of sitting in a dentist's chair for hours is quite uncomfortable for most people. After a dental filling procedure, a patient's emotion is often one of relief and satisfaction, and the patient goes on about their day believing the scariest part of the storm has passed. No, it doesn't often end there!

Dental fillings are procedures that often need maintenance from time to time, and for younger patients, there are several foreseeable visits to the dentist.

What is a Dental Filling?

Dental fillings are materials used to patch up damaged teeth caused by bacteria. Although the body has ways of fighting bacteria, the dental environment is often quite a sufficient breeding ground for certain bacteria due to its warmth and moistness. Biofilms that tend to form on the teeth are a hindrance to the bacteria-fighting mechanism of the body. It is advisable to brush the teeth twice a day and undergo professional cleaning to eliminate the biofilm.

Sometimes when the teeth are subjected to acid, mechanical trauma or just stubborn bacterias that managed to get through the enamel coating of the teeth, holes called caries or cavities are formed. If not filled immediately, the bacteria could then eat their way through to the pulp, and only the extraction of the root canal can rectify it. So, dental fillings are very important in the overall oral maintenance of the teeth.

Materials Used For Dental Filling

Numerous materials are used to make dental fillings. An example is amalgam, a composite of silver, tin, copper, gold and mercury. It is quite a common material used for dental filling due to its durability, stability, usability and affordability. However, its aesthetic outlook is quite debatable due to its silver-ish color. Another material, gold, which is quite popular in some countries because of its durability, is quite expensive and also, debates about its aesthetic appearance arise due to its reflective attributes. For further information on the materials used, you should contact a dentist near you or any dental center that specializes in dental filling near you.

How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?

The lifespan of a dental filling often relies on several circumstances. First, we should know that the mouth is quite an unfriendly environment due to its warmth, moistness and unpredictable fluctuation of its pH. The first thing to consider when talking about the lifespan of a dental filling is the material. Materials with high durabilities, such as gold (15 to 30 years) and amalgam (10 to 20 years), tend to last longer, and materials such as composites( 5 to 10 years) tend to last

for a shorter period. Also, factors such as oral hygiene and habits, physical and psychological factors, dentist expertise, etc., play important roles in the lifespan of dental fillings.

It is also advisable to keep in contact with your dentist to get easy access to dental advice and, in a worse scenario, quick maintenance for a damaged filling.

What Is the Cost of a Dental Filling?

Prices of dental fillings often vary due to factors such as location, doctor expertise or the material used for the dental filling. On average, composite fillings in South Edmonton cost about $50-$150, excluding future maintenance costs. For better information, contact your dentist in South Edmonton or your dental insurance company.

Looking for a dentist in South Edmonton? Jagare Ridge Dental provides the utmost dental care, tailored to fit every patient's dental needs and remains the perfect option to give you that perfect smile.