While dental filling material has improved over the last few decades, fillings are still softer than the enamel the surrounding tooth is composed of. This means they may not be able to survive the same forces of chewing and biting as the natural enamel.
Dental fillings are incredibly strong and meant to be permanent, but life happens. It is not uncommon for one to pop, crack, or fall out due to wear and tear. Day after day, dental fillings get quite a workout as you eat, drink, grind, or clench your teeth. All this activity can cause a broken tooth filling.
Because your new filling is not comprised of the same bone as your original tooth, you may notice a difference in how it feels. Your new filling might feel rough to your tongue. Follow your regular brushing schedule and your filling will begin to smooth out.
Composite fillings fill the cavity and bond directly to the patients teeth. Because of this, the tooth and filling work together. This means that composite fillings do not make your teeth weaker, but they may make your teeth stronger.
There is no single number of how many times you can have a filling replaced. Usually, we will stop replacing the dental filling after the hole becomes too large. Once you have more filling material than natural tooth material your tooth no longer holds enough strength.
It's true, dental fillings unfortunately do not last forever. Though they are applied in such a way that ensures they stay put for many years, life happens, and they still can come loose.
Sometimes, patients notice that once the numbing wears off, their bite feels different after the filling or crown has been placed. This can be a relatively common occurrence.
In general: amalgam fillings last 5 to 25 years. composite fillings last 5 to 15 years. gold fillings last 15 to 20 years.
Dental Filling Costs
The dental filling cost ranges between $115 and $300 in Australia. If the filling cost is out of your budget, you can check to see if dental fillings cover your private insurance. The dental filling cost has several tangible factors linked to it. Let's look at what they are.
Fillings are not intended to last forever. The bond that holds the metal or composite resin in place will eventually weaken over time. This process may occur more quickly if patients grind their teeth at night. Fillings are often placed in molars where bruxism can cause significant damage.
Brushing alone is not enough
Most adult cavities form between the teeth. These are called interproximal cavities. When you allow food and bacteria to sit between the teeth, the bacteria will start eating away at your tooth enamel and the tooth itself, forming a cavity.
There are two main risks to getting fillings: infection and damage. Sometimes when you get a filling, it can pull away from the tooth which leaves a small space open. This space is an area where bacteria can get in and cause more tooth decay and infection. Cavity fillings can also break or fall out completely.
After the placement of a filling, it is common to experience an uneven bite, also called a high bite. This happens when the filling placed on your biting surface is uneven with its opposing tooth. With a high filling, your filling will contact the opposing tooth before your other teeth.
Once the numbness wears off, you might notice a change in your bite. Over time, it might hurt to bite down, give you a zing, or you might notice cold sensitivity. This is common. Most likely your new filling is taller than your teeth are used to and needs to be adjusted.
Irritated nerve
Irritated nerves can result in inflammation and can cause pain. Your enamel and cementum usually protect the nerve from exposure, but deep fillings can reach the nerve endings and cause uncomfortable, sharp sensations. However, irritated nerves from deep fillings can heal over time.
A patient with resin fillings may need to replace the fillings every seven to 10 years. Silver or amalgam fillings are also popular due to their durability and affordability, lasting an average of 15 years. Gold fillings are less popular because they are more expensive. However, gold fillings can last the longest.
White fillings don't last as long as silver fillings, and on average sustain for about 7-10 years. Nonetheless, they're still an incredibly strong, successful treatment for most cavities.
Some people experience discomfort or tooth sensitivity following a filling. This can be due to nerve irritation, an allergic reaction, or incorrect bite alignment. Sensitivity after a dental filling is common, and it typically subsides with time.
Dental adjustments
Dental bite adjustments that can fix a bad bite caused by malocclusion starts with a visit to an orthodontist who may prescribe orthodontic braces, retainers or palatial expanders to straighten and reposition teeth.
The most common causes of a shifting bite include: Time: The older you grow, the tighter and smaller your lips become. This change in facial features also puts pressure on your teeth from the outside. Over time, your mouth feels crowded, and changes in dental alignment occur.
While dental filling material has improved over the last few decades, fillings are still softer than the enamel the surrounding tooth is composed of. This means they may not be able to survive the same forces of chewing and biting as the natural enamel.
White fillings, also known as tooth colored fillings, are most often made of a composite resin or porcelain. Biocompatible and nontoxic, white fillings do not off-gas like metal alternatives and are actually much safer for both your teeth and your body.
Fillings are designed to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay. This treatment also prevents future decay and stops bacteria from furthering deteriorating your tooth. Prior to treatment, your dentist will have to determine which material is best suited for the filling.
Sipping on soda or snacking frequently can all be culprits of an increase in cavities. A sore throat or the flu: Sucking on cough drops all day long are a common culprit of cavities that people don't know about. Not enough brushing and flossing: This one goes without saying. Below is the proper brushing technique.
In general, adults develop an average of three cavities during their lifetimes. This means that the average adult has three or four fillings in their mouth. Some patients end up with ten or more fillings depending on how well they care for their teeth.