Frequently Asked Questions

Fillings

Date Posted: 1/1/2002

Question How long do fillings last?

Answer The position, shape, material, and functioning pressure, all influence how long dental fillings will last. Larger fillings that bear a heavy functional load tend to break down more quickly than smaller fillings that bear little force. This is why it is impossible and meaningless to try to state categorically how long fillings should last. However, when placing a filling, the dentist may have an idea of the expectation of the life of the filling. For example, a very small filling in the groove of a tooth away from biting pressure could be there for decades whereas a very large one in the mouth of a person who grinds their teeth may be lucky to last a few years and really should have a crown. In a checkup, your dentist is constantly monitoring the state of your fillings, looking for signs of weakness, cracking, decay or discolouration.

More questions in this category:

What is a filling?
Can all teeth with holes or fractures be filled?
Can fillings be repaired rather than replaced?
How are fillings done?
How do I know if I need a filling?
How long do fillings last?
Is it possible to avoid fillings?
Should baby teeth have fillings too?
What are fillings made of?