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How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?

Cavities are a common dental issue. They are small pits that form on the surfaces of your teeth as a result of tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when the acids produced by the plaque and bacteria in your mouth erode your tooth enamel, leading to weak spots. Without treatment, weak spots worsen, and eventually lead to cavities. When you have a cavity, it should be treated right away. At Lumina Dental Clinic, we can treat cavities with composite fillings.

What is a Composite Filling?

A composite filling is a treatment for a cavity. This type of filling uses a composite resin material to restore your oral health. Composite resin is a material made up of a mixture of different substances, including fine glass and plastic. This type of filling provides an alternative to traditional amalgam fillings. It is a tooth-colored material that blends in with the color of your natural teeth, making it perfect for treating cavities affecting teeth near the front of your mouth.

The material does not contain any metal or mercury. Composite resin also bonds with your natural tooth structure, rather than simply filling in the cavity. Because of this, less of your natural tooth structure needs to be drilled away to place the filling.

How Long Does a Composite Filling Last?

While composite fillings are not as strong as amalgam ones, they are still quite strong and can last for many years. Many composite fillings last at least 5 years. There are many instances in which they can last up to 10 years or more.

What Factors Affect the Longevity of a Composite Filling?

There are many different factors that can impact the longevity of a composite filling. Factors include:

• The location of the filling. Biting and chewing pressures are greater at the back of your mouth. While composite fillings are fairly strong, they may wear out faster if placed in your molars.

• The size of the filling. Typically, smaller fillings tend to last longer because fewer issues are likely to occur.

• If you suffer from bruxism. Bruxism is a condition in which you grind and clench your teeth. These actions place excessive pressure on your teeth. As a result, an amalgam filling may wear out faster.

• What you eat and drink. Sugary or acidic foods and beverages can increase your risk of enamel erosion. This can increase the risk of problems developing with your composite fillings.

• Your oral hygiene habits. Maintaining good oral hygiene practices is essential for your oral health and the longevity of your fillings. If you neglect your oral hygiene, new decay can form around your filling, compromising it. Additionally, poor oral hygiene also increases your risk for developing cavities in your other teeth.

• Dental techniques when placing your composite fillings. How your composite fillings are placed is essential for making sure they last. It is important that the affected tooth is properly cleaned and dried to prevent moisture and bacteria from contaminating the treatment area.

Composite fillings provide you with a much more aesthetic alternative to amalgam fillings. With proper care, they can last for many years.

What to expect after a filling?

After you have a filling, your tooth might be extra sensitive to cold or pressure for a day or two. This is expected, so don’t panic.

Only if the pain continues should you go back to your dentist in case there’s a problem.

Fillings aren’t the answer to tooth decay, they are only a way to help gain control of your oral health.

And no fillings last forever, no matter what material they are made from.

Constant wear and tear can cause fillings to become chipped or cracked, opening a gap between the tooth and the filling, allowing those harmful bacteria inside again.

However, if you’re visiting your dentist for regular check-ups, any problems should be spotted before they become serious.

Advantages of Composite Dental Fillings

There are a plethora of benefits of composite tooth filling.

  • Unlike traditional fillings, the dentist can efficiently use them in any area of the mouth, especially in the narrow regions of the patient’s mouth. Moisture control is the main problem in these areas. Composite dental filling (in its dry form) does not only cover the targeted area entirely but also controls moisture.
  • Composite fillings are more affordable than other tooth fillings.
  • Many patients complain about developing more cavities after standard tooth color filling. However, composite fillings make your tooth edges more cavity resistant than other fillings, so if you are prone to getting cavities, you should consider composite dental fillings.
  • Composite dental fillings are stronger and withstand chewing force. That is why they are less likely to dissolve or break than other fillings such as ceramic.

Why Composite Dental Fillings are safe?

The composite dental filling has replaced silver amalgams rapidly in the past few years. Many dentists consider that composite resin causes no health concern. Both composite filling and sealants are made of resin material, containing BPA which releases for some time in the mouth after filling replacement.

However, the dentist community pointed out some significant facts. According to them, studies have failed to underline any conclusive results regarding the use of BPA in the resins as a harmful component. In addition to that, they believe that composite resins use a negligible amount of Bis-GMA, which is not detrimental to the patients. They concluded health concerns regarding composite resins are baseless and do not have substantial evidence to prove BPA as a threat to human health.

Not a single study has found any link between BPA and deleterious health concerns. This aspect makes use of composite dental filling a safe and healthy option to protect your teeth from germ coating and plaque.

WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?

In conclusion, US FDA does not consider BPA a health concern and promotes those composite resins, despite containing BPA, is safe for human health. It further emphasizes that composite filling has many advantages, such as it is affordable, giving patients a pleasant and natural smile. Plus, it lasts longer than other tooth fillings. Thus, the composite filling has a very less quantity of BPA, and that is why it is a safe option to restore your damaged teeth.

Contact us today and let us guide you in making the best decisions for your teeth and oral health. Our trained staff is always ready to answer any questions, and get you prepared for a consultation with one of our dentists. Call us today!

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Lumina Dental Clinic, request an appointment here

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