Thursday, August 2, 2012

How Long Should a Good Dental Filling Last?


Agnes Kumar, DDS
It is very difficult to predict how long a restoration will last as it is in an environment with multiple factors.  The dietary, oral hygiene, and clenching/grinding habits are major factors in the longevity of a restoration. If the tooth along with a restoration is being stressed by excessive force, the restoration can fail more quickly.  I have seen some excellent restorations last in the mouth for two years and then be undermined by decay due to high-risk factors.  I have also seen them last 20 years in people who have low-risk factors and even longer if the bite forces are well balanced among the teeth. It is very important to have the fillings checked every six months to prolong the life of the restorations.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Powered By Blogger