What Is Cement Filling In Tooth?

What Is Cement Filling In Tooth
What are Dental Cements? -, much like the name suggests, help cementing various tooth attachments such as crowns to the tooth or can be used for dental fillings such as the permanent tooth filling cements, Dental cements traditionally come as powders that need to be mixed with liquid bases so as to form a semi-thick solution.

  1. When applied, this solution hardens on the surface into a brittle structure, strong enough to hold shape and form but weak enough to be replaced and removed as and when required.
  2. Dental cements are als a topic of much research and many more modern types of bonding material is being found and used instead of cements.

GIC or Glass Ionomer cement is a new age bonding material that comes in capsules. These capsules are prepped inside a mixing machine before being used as a bond for the tooth affixment. Dental cements that are made with powders and liquids are traditional and yet they are the most preferred and the most commonly used form of cements in the dentistry world.

How long do dental cement fillings last?

When Will I have to Replace my Filling? – Usually, a filling will last anywhere from 7-20 years, although this depends on the location of the filling, the size, and your dental hygiene. Fillings put up with a lot of stress! Every time you chew, your filling is compromised.

Why do they put cement on your teeth?

Liners and pulp protection – Cement is often used to protect the pulp of a tooth when decay is getting too close and starts putting the tooth in jeopardy. An experienced dentist can strategically place dental cement on areas of the tooth that will protect the pulp from infection. This process may require a root canal if the damage to the pulp is quite severe.

How cement is filled in teeth?

How to Place the Cement Filling – Hesperian Health Guides Lay out on a clean cloth:

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E

A: your syringe, needle, and local anesthetic (in case a tooth hurts) B: your instruments: mirror, probe, tweezers, spoon, filling tool, mixing tool C: oil of cloves (eugenol) and zinc oxide D: lots of cotton: cotton rolls, gauze, or cotton wool E: smooth glass to mix cement

  1. Keep the cavity dry. The cavity and the area around it must be dry so you can see what you are doing. Just as important, cement stays longer inside a dry cavity. Place cotton between the cheek and gums to keep the area dry. Put some cotton under the tongue when you work on a lower tooth. Use whatever kind of cotton you have: gauze, wool, or even rolls. Change the cotton whenever it becomes wet. Keep the cavity dry while you work. Wipe the inside of it every now and then with a bit of cotton. Then leave a piece of cotton inside the cavity while you mix the cement.
  2. Lift out the decay. You do not need to remove all of the decay on the bottom of the cavity. If you try to clean out all of the decay, you might touch the nerve. However, you must remove all of the decay from the edges of the cavity. Otherwise, germs and food can go between the cement and the cavity and keep the decay growing inside. For, it is especially important to remove all the decay from the edges so the filling will stick well. Use the spoon tool to scrape clean the walls and the edge of the cavity. If you find that the part of the tooth at the edge of the cavity is thin and weak, break it deliberately. That makes for stronger sides to hold onto the cement. You can use the end of your filling tool to break the edge but it is much easier with a dental hatchet, which is less likely to bend. CAVITY NERVE Use the spoon tool to lift out soft decay from inside the cavity. Be careful not to go too deep and touch the nerve at the very bottom of the cavity. This takes practice. If the tooth hurts when you do this, stop and inject some local anesthetic. Use cotton gauze to collect the bits of decay so that the person does not swallow them. Use your mirror and look closely around the edges of the cavity for any decay that you may have missed. Put some cotton inside the cavity and leave it there to keep the area clean and dry while you mix the filling. These first two steps are also used in placing a,
  3. Mix the cement on a piece of smooth glass. Place separately onto the glass a pile of zinc oxide powder and a few drops of eugenol liquid. Pull a small amount of the powder to the liquid with the mixing tool and mix them together. Add more powder in this way, until the cement mixture becomes thick.
    Suggestion: Practice with the cement ahead of time. You can then find out the time it takes to become hard.

    Cement is much easier to use when it is thick and not too sticky. Roll a bit between your fingers. If the cement sticks, it is not yet ready. Add more powder and then test again. Now take the cotton out of the cavity. Check to be sure the cavity is dry. If the cotton around the tooth is wet, change it.

  4. Press some cement into the cavity. If a cavity goes down between two teeth, you need to first take care that the cement does not squeeze and hurt the gum.
    space left for the gum
    before after

    Before you apply the cement, place something thin between the teeth. You can use the soft stem from a palm leaf, a toothpick, or a tooth from a comb. Be sure it has a rounded end to prevent damage to the gums. To apply the cement, put a small ball of cement on the end of your filling tool. Carry it to the cavity. Spread it over the floor of the cavity and into the corners.

    Then add another ball of cement, pressing it against the other cement and against the sides of the cavity. If a cavity goes down between two teeth, one other step is necessary. You need to take care that the cement does not squeeze and hurt the gum. REMEMBER: Decay stops growing only when the cement covers it completely and tightly.

  5. Remove the extra cement before it gets too hard. Press the flat side of the filling tool against the cement and smooth it towards the edge of the cavity. As you smooth the cement, shape it to look like the top of a normal tooth. This way, the tooth above or below it can fit against the filling without breaking it. If you have placed something between the teeth, remove it and, Gums are easier to clean, and stay healthier, when the cement beside them is smooth. Cement that sticks out and is not smooth can hurt the gums. It can also later break off. When that happens, spit and germs are able to go inside and start the decay growing again. It is also important to look closely around the tooth for loose pieces of cement and to remove them before they make the gums sore. Use the end of your probe. Gently reach into the gum pocket and lift out any pieces of cement caught there. Wipe off your probe with cotton gauze each time. Now remove all the cotton and ask the person to gently close the teeth. The teeth should come together normally and not hit first against the cement filling. Too much pressure against the cement filling will crack and break it. If you do not have carbon paper, darken some paper with a pencil. Always check to see if part of the filling is high:
    1. lf the cement is still wet, you can see the smooth place where the opposite tooth bit into it. Scrape the cement away from this place.
    2. If the cement is dry, have the person bite on a piece of carbon paper. If there is too much cement, the carbon paper will darken the cement. Scrape away that extra cement.

    The person must not leave your clinic until the filled tooth fits properly against the other teeth This page was updated: 21 Jan 2021

: How to Place the Cement Filling – Hesperian Health Guides

Is tooth cementing painful?

Abstract – Some patients experience pain after cementation of a cast restoration on a vital tooth. Limited data are available on the prevalence of this pain. In many cases the pain disappears within two weeks. The major cause of the pain might be attributed to more permeability of the dentine after preparation.

Consequently, bacteria have free access towards the pulp. With respect to the cement, it is more likely that microleakage after cementation will be the cause of pulpal problems than toxicity of the cement. In order to prevent pain, the use of a desensitizer (a primer or a bonding) can be considered. However, use of a desensitizer in combination with some cements, can reduce the retention of a cast restoration.

More important than the use of a desensitizer seem precautions during the procedures of preparing the restoration, like using sufficient cooling water and preventing a tooth from dehydration.

Which type of dental filling is better?

A silver amalgam filling has been the most recommended dental filling for many years, dating back several generations. The biggest benefit to silver amalgam is that it tends to last much longer than various other forms of dental fillings, although the increase in dependability does come at a higher financial cost.

Does dental cement come off?

A New Tool for Cleaning Excess Resin Cement Cleaning excess cement after cementation of a crown is a tedious but important clinical procedure. Failure to remove excess cement can lead to plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation and possibly even bone loss.1 Removal of cement is even more difficult when using resin cement.

  • A recent Practice Based Research Network study reported that almost 40 percent of single unit crowns were bonded with resin cement.2 Cleaning resin cement can occur either before curing, after tack curing or after complete curing.
  • An American Dental Association Clinical Evaluator Panel survey reported that 21 percent of dentists clean some uncured cement, 85 percent of dentists clean some tack cured cement, and 28 percent of dentists clean some fully cured cement.3 These results suggest that most dentist undergo the challenging procedure of cleaning tack or fully cured resin cement.

The methods used to perform this task can vary. A dental scaler or surgical blade can be used to scrape excess cement, however, these tools have limited access to interproximal areas where crown margins are often the most subgingivally located. Rotary instruments can also be used to remove excess cement, however, these instruments must be carefully oriented so as not to gouge the root surface during use and also have limited access to interproximal areas.

Perhaps the easiest, safest and most cost-efficient method to remove excess cement is with the use of floss. Dental floss is available in several different varieties. Perhaps the most common type of floss is nylon floss. This floss is composed of strands of nylon fibers. A disadvantage of nylon floss is that it can shred during use.

Shredding of the floss is inconvenient due to the need to obtain a new piece of floss and also need to retrieve remnant pieces of nylon fibers from between the teeth. Thicker nylon floss is often referred to as dental tape. Dental tape has additional nylon fibers which makes it stronger and provides additional surface area for cleaning.

But the thickness of dental tape makes it more difficult to slide between the contact point. Another common type of floss is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) floss. This floss is manufactured as a thin, flat sheet. The thinness of the floss allows it to more easily slide in between contacts. A clinical trial confirmed that it requires less force to place PTFE floss interproximally than nylon floss.4 The disadvantage of PTFE floss is that it will often snap during use.

A new type of ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is available with the commercial name Gorilla Floss (Dental Savings Club). The fibers which are used to fabricate this floss are fabricated in a gel spinning process in which the fibers are drawn, heated, elongated, and cooled.

  • This fabrication process allows molecular alignment, high crystallization, and low density of the polymer used in the fibers.
  • The long molecular chains are responsible for the strength of the UHMWPE fibers.
  • The same fibers used for this floss are also used for other industrial applications, such as body armor, anchor ropes, and paragliding lines.

Fig.1 UHMWPE floss (Gorilla Floss–Dental Savings Club) is used to removed excess resin cement. Fig.2 Shredding of nylon floss when attempting to clean excess interproximal floss. Fig.3 Representative examples of different types of dental floss (left to right): nylon floss, dental tape, PTFE floss, UHMWPE (Gorilla Floss-Dental Savings Club).

In order to compare the properties of several different varieties of floss, representative brands were chosen from each category: nylon floss, dental tape, PTFE tape, and UHMWPE floss. The floss samples were obtained from commercial vendors and evaluated at the UAB School of Dentistry. A custom test was designed to measure the strength of floss.

A metal loop was affixed to the base of a universal testing machine. A second loop was affixed to the crosshead of the universal testing machine at a distance of 300mm from the base loop. The crosshead was attached to a load sensor. A length of floss was tied snugly to both the lower and upper loop using four square knots to minimize slippage.

The floss was then loaded in tension at a rate of 10mm/min until it broke. The maximum force prior to failure was recorded. Three pieces of floss were used for each type of floss. The average and standard deviation for each type of floss is listed in Table 1, Table 1 *The PTFE floss is wide and thin. The wide aspect of the floss was measured as the floss could not be oriented under the microscope such that its thickness could be accurately measured.

The thickness of each type of floss was then measured. A representative piece of floss was placed on the stage of a digital light microscope. It was pulled taught with finger pressure and secured with tape. A section of floss was observed with 100x magnification and the thickness of the floss at five different points was measured with image analysis software.

  • The average thickness is listed in Table 1,
  • Evaluation of the strength of different floss reveals that the UHMWPE floss fractured at over 2x the strength of dental tape, over 3x the strength of nylon tape and over 6x the strength of PTFE tape.
  • The clinical advantage for a floss with this strength would be its ability to remove tenacious pieces of cured resin cement without breaking.

Additionally, the strength of the floss would allow insertion of the floss into interproximal areas without snapping the floss. This evaluation also confirmed that nylon floss is stronger than PTFE floss and that dental tape is stronger than nylon floss.

The thickness of the UHMWPE floss (Gorilla Floss-Dental Savings Club) is slightly less than nylon floss and half as thick as dental tape. The PTFE floss is flat and thin. When flossing through contacts. The thin edge will likely orient itself to pass through the contact first. The thickness of the floss is relevant for its ability to pass through a contact.

The UHWMPE (Gorilla Floss-Dental Savings Club) floss is advantageous as it is both thin and strong which should allow it to pass through contacts without snapping. Fig.4 Floss affixed to an upper and lower loop in a universal testing machine. Fig.5 Measurement of the thickness of floss using 100x magnification in a digital light microscope.

  1. Fig.6 Thickness of different types of dental floss (top to bottom): nylon floss, dental tape, PTFE floss, UHMWPE floss.
  2. Aside from the strength and thinness of the UHMWPE floss, another advantage of the floss is its ability to remain rigid when straightened.
  3. Most floss will go limp once straightened as there is no resistance to the force of gravity.

The UHMWPE floss can remain relatively sturdy when pulled straight such that it can be threaded through the gingival embrasure without the use of a floss threader. This technique will not work if the embrasure is significantly occluded with cured cement or soft tissue.

However, often a path can be cleared for the floss such that it can be passed through the contact. In summary, clean-up of excess cement is a vital but tedious clinical procedure performed in most dental offices. The simplest and most cost-effective method to remove cement, particularly in interproximal spaces, is using dental floss.

There are a variety of floss types including nylon, dental tape, PTFE and UHMWPE floss. Nylon floss has a tendency to shred, dental tape may be too thick to slide interproximally, and PTFE floss often snaps due to lack of strength. UHMWPE floss UHWMPE (Gorilla Floss-Dental Savings Club) is strong, relatively thin, and can remain rigid when straightened.

  1. Linkevicius T, Puisys A, Vindasiute E, Linkeviciene L, Apse P. Does residual cement around implant-supported restorations cause peri-implant disease? A retrospective case analysis. Clin Oral Implants Res.2013 Nov;24(11):1179-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2012.02570.x. Epub 2012 Aug 8. PMID: 22882700.
  2. Lawson NC, Litaker MS, Ferracane JL, Gordan VV, Atlas AM, Rios T, Gilbert GH, McCracken MS; National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Collaborative Group. Choice of cement for single-unit crowns: Findings from The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. J Am Dent Assoc.2019 Jun;150(6):522-530. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2019.01.021. Epub 2019 Apr 25. PMID: 31030937; PMCID: PMC6538426.
  3. Lawson NC, Khajotia S, Bedran-Russo AK, Frazier K, Park J, Leme-Kraus A, Urquhart O; Council on Scientific Affairs. Bonding crowns and bridges with resin cement: An American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel survey. J Am Dent Assoc.2020 Oct;151(10):796-797.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2020.07.023. PMID: 32979959.
  4. Dörfer CE, Wündrich D, Staehle HJ, Pioch T. Gliding capacity of different dental flosses. J Periodontol.2001 May;72(5):672-8. doi: 10.1902/jop.2001.72.5.672. PMID: 11394404.
  • About the Author
  • Nathaniel Lawson, DMD PhD is the director of the Division of Biomaterials at the UAB School of Dentistry.
  • Bushra Nizami, BDS is a second-year resident in the Biomaterials program at the UAB School of Dentistry.
  • Krisha Shah, BDS is a first-year resident in the Biomaterials program at the UAB School of Dentistry.

: A New Tool for Cleaning Excess Resin Cement

Is dental cement harmful?

Known contraindications of dental cements – Dental materials such as filling and orthodontic instruments must satisfy biocompatibility requirements as they will be in the oral cavity for a long period of time. Some dental cements can contain chemicals that may induce allergic reactions on various tissues in the oral cavity.

  • Common allergic reactions include stomatitis/dermatitis, urticaria, swelling, rash and rhinorrhea,
  • These may predispose to life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis, oedema and cardiac arrhythmias,
  • Eugenol is widely used in dentistry for different applications including impression pastes, periodontal dressings, cements, filling materials, endodontic sealers and dry socket dressings.

Zinc oxide eugenol is a cement commonly used for provisional restorations and root canal obturation. Although classified as non-cariogenic by the Food and Drug Administration, eugenol is proven to be cytotoxic with the risk of anaphylactic reactions in certain patients.

  1. Zinc oxide eugenol constituents a mixture of zinc oxide and eugenol to form a polymerised eugenol cement.
  2. The setting reaction produces an end product called zinc eugenolate which readily hydrolyses producing free eugenol that causes adverse effects on fibroblast and osteoclast-like cells.
  3. At high concentrations localised necrosis and reduced healing occurs whereas for low concentrations contact dermatitis is the common clinical manifestation.

Allergy contact dermatitis has been proven to be the highest clinical occurrence usually localised to soft tissues with buccal mucosa being the most prevalent. Normally a patch test done by dermatologists will be used to diagnose the condition. Glass Ionomer cements have been used to substitute zinc oxide eugenol cements (thus removing the allergen), with positive outcome from patients.

Why do cemented teeth hurt?

Tooth decay under the crown – Because the tooth under the dental crown is still alive, tooth decay or a new cavity can form at the border of the tooth and the crown, This can lead to persistent pain in the area. If a tooth cavity grows large enough and affects the nerve, you might need a root canal procedure.

How long does it take to fill a cement tooth?

– In general, a filling takes an hour or less. A simple filling may take as few as 20 minutes. Many dental offices now have the technology to make onlays and inlays in one appointment, though a larger filling or multiple fillings can take longer. Plus, depending on the materials used for the filling, it could take longer or require a second visit. For instance:

Composite resin material that’s layered into your tooth takes more time, but it’s completed in one visit.Some composite fillings may be made from an impression. This requires a second visit to bond the filling.Gold or porcelain fillings, also called inlays or onlays, can only be done in one sitting if your dental office has the require equipment. Otherwise, it takes multiple visits. In the first visit, the dentist will remove the cavity and make impression of your tooth. They’ll send the impression to a lab to create the filling. At the next visit, they’ll bond the filling to your tooth.

Replacing an older filling generally takes about the same amount of time as the original filling. It may take slightly longer if the old filling material has to be drilled out. A healthcare professional will clean out the cavity and old filling material, then insert new filling material.

How strong is tooth cement?

Properties of resin cement: –

Its setting time at 37ºC ranges from 2-4 minutes. The film thickness is 25 microns. The adhesion strength to the dentin ranges from 18 to 30 MPa Compressive strength: 70-172 MPa. Tensile strength: 34 to 37 MPa. Its solubility to water ranges between 0.01%. Elastic module: 2.1-3.1 GPa.

How long does tooth filling last?

– Typically, fillings last around 10 years. Many restorations (the clinical term for dental fillings) last much longer. In addition to the materials used, other factors affecting the life span of a filling include:

your eating habits dental hygiene trauma to your toothdecay around the filling grinding your teeth while you sleep

Though several factors affect the durability of fillings, the materials used can give you a good idea of how long a particular filling should last.

Do I need a root canal after filling?

If I experience postoperative sensitivity, a “toothache after fillings,” or a “throbbing tooth pain after fillings,” does it mean I may need a root canal? – Not always. On occasion, after the placement of a restoration, a tooth can become non-vital and require root canal treatment.

Every time a filling is placed or replaced, there is trauma to the pulp (nerve and blood supply). It can be a combination of many things that will cause this trauma. Generally, trauma can be caused by drilling, a combination of the toxins released by the bacteria that are responsible for the decay, and or the reaction of the pulp of the tooth to the filling materials.

Other factors such as tooth grinding and fracture lines within the teeth can also affect the health of the pulp. Again, any patients with poorly controlled chronic diseases or autoimmune diseases are at a much higher risk of developing complications or postoperative sensitivity after dental treatment.

Heightened post-operative sensitivity after dental treatment is due to the over-reactive nature of their immune response. Accumulation and repeated trauma of this nature over time can result in a ‘stressed pulp,’ that is in a chronic state of near-death. As a result, a tooth that was seemingly fine before dental treatment may end up requiring root canal treatment because the pulp of the tooth, which had previously been compromised, is now unable to withstand any additional stress.

Teeth that are currently non-vital (those that no longer have access to nutrients and or blood flow) or are becoming non-vital, generally tend to become sensitive to hot and cold. These same teeth can also become tender to bite. Discomfort often tends to come on spontaneously and last for long periods.

What is tooth cement made of?

Cements – Dental cements include zinc phosphate, zinc oxide and eugenol, polycarboxylate (zinc oxide powder mixed with polyacrylic acid) and glass ionomer cements (GICs). Allergic reactions to most dental cements are rare but GICs contain a polyalkenoic acid such as polyacrylic acid plus a fluoride-containing silicate glass (fluoroaluminosilicate) powder, and do occasionally cause reactions.

Resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs) usually contain HEMA (hydrophilic monomer) plus a fluoride-containing glass and polyacrylic acid. Tri-cure GICs also incorporate a chemical curing tertiary amine-peroxide reaction to polymerize the methacrylate, along with the photo-initiation and acid–base ionic reaction.

These resins may cause reactions. Read full chapter URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702054013000291

Which tooth filling lasts longest?

How Long Do Fillings Last? How Long Do Fillings Last? A top Asheville dentist answers this elusive question. Face it: cavities are no fun. You’ll do anything to stop the pain — even visit your dentist. Going to a top Asheville dentist means confronting the dreaded whirring sound of the drill.

  • It probably makes your toes curl just thinking about it.
  • Going to the dentist means enduring the shot of Novocain and holding your mouth open for what seems like hours.
  • The good news is, after all that, your pain is gone.
  • Your top Asheville dentist has removed the decayed part of your tooth and filled the cavity with some kind of hard substance to protect the rest of your healthy tooth.

You can eat like a normal person again. It’s a modern medical miracle. Unfortunately, the bad news is that your filling won’t last forever. How long your fillings last depends on a number of factors, including the size of your cavity and the material your dentist used to fill the cavity.

  1. Gold, which has long been prized for its malleability and durability. Gold fillings are actually composed of gold, copper and other metals, but they still look like gold.
  2. Silver amalgam, which is a more modern — and less expensive — option. Composed of silver, mercury, copper and tin, this substance is durable and looks like silver.
  3. Composite resins, which has the advantage of appearing the same color as your other teeth. The most recent material, resins contain quartz or glass that offer lasting protection for small to mid-sized cavities.

Gold fillings have become rare, and silver amalgam is falling out of favor due to its mercury content, which is both unhealthful and subject to cracking. Top Asheville dentists are turning more and more to composite resins. They have proven durable and people like having fillings the same color as the rest of their teeth.

  • Your filling falls out. This development is pretty straightforward. Unless you accidentally swallow the filling, you have hard proof that something’s wrong. Your exposed nerve also alerts you. Call a top Asheville dentist immediately.
  • Your filling cracks. Any filling except a gold one can crack over time. If a filling has cracked, you may not notice anything wrong right away, or you may feel temperature sensitivity. Your dentist may find the crack during your regular cleaning. Cracked fillings can be repaired.
  • Your filling leaks. Again, any filling but gold can leak, most often immediately after being put in place. If your tooth is sensitive to cold or hot food and drink for longer than three weeks, schedule a follow-up with your dentist.
  • Your filling wears out. It happens to most fillings, even gold ones. You may never notice anything, but a top Asheville dentist can tell upon examination whether your fillings are still functioning or need to be replaced.

So How Long Do Fillings Last? While fillings last a long time, none of the materials used in fillings last forever. Assuming that your surrounding tooth remains healthy and the filling itself is not large, you can expect your filling to last for years, even decades:

  • Gold fillings last the longest, anywhere from 15 to 30 years.
  • Silver amalgam fillings can last from 10 to 15 years before they need to be replaced.
  • Composite resin fillings don’t last as long. You may need to replace them every five to seven years.

Remember that these are average life expectancies. You can extend the life of your fillings by practicing healthy oral hygiene and taking good care of your teeth. Consult a top Asheville dentist for advice about your fillings. —The Zoe Dental Team : How Long Do Fillings Last?

What happens if you swallow tooth cement?

The first thing to do is to remove the filling from your mouth to ensure that you do not accidentally swallow or inhale it. Swallowed fillings generally pass harmlessly through your digestive system. Inhaled fillings, however, can cause serious infections and complications in your respiratory system.

Can I fill my own cavities?

Table of Contents –

Alternative Ways of Fixing Cavaties Phytic Acid & Licorice Root Why Homemade Fixes Don’t Work Why Dentists Should Treat Cavities References

While it is technically possible to fill a cavity at home, it is not wise or safe. Cavities should be filled by a dentist in a professional setting. Attempting a homemade fix for a cavity can result in permanent damage to your teeth and mouth as well as infection and other serious issues.

Does temporary dental cement hurt?

A temporary crown procedure may cause a little sensitivity or discomfort for a few days. But it isn’t normal for the sensation to persist for a long time. If it does, visit your dentist.

What is the longest lasting dental filling?

How Long Do Fillings Last? How Long Do Fillings Last? A top Asheville dentist answers this elusive question. Face it: cavities are no fun. You’ll do anything to stop the pain — even visit your dentist. Going to a top Asheville dentist means confronting the dreaded whirring sound of the drill.

It probably makes your toes curl just thinking about it. Going to the dentist means enduring the shot of Novocain and holding your mouth open for what seems like hours. The good news is, after all that, your pain is gone. Your top Asheville dentist has removed the decayed part of your tooth and filled the cavity with some kind of hard substance to protect the rest of your healthy tooth.

You can eat like a normal person again. It’s a modern medical miracle. Unfortunately, the bad news is that your filling won’t last forever. How long your fillings last depends on a number of factors, including the size of your cavity and the material your dentist used to fill the cavity.

  1. Gold, which has long been prized for its malleability and durability. Gold fillings are actually composed of gold, copper and other metals, but they still look like gold.
  2. Silver amalgam, which is a more modern — and less expensive — option. Composed of silver, mercury, copper and tin, this substance is durable and looks like silver.
  3. Composite resins, which has the advantage of appearing the same color as your other teeth. The most recent material, resins contain quartz or glass that offer lasting protection for small to mid-sized cavities.

Gold fillings have become rare, and silver amalgam is falling out of favor due to its mercury content, which is both unhealthful and subject to cracking. Top Asheville dentists are turning more and more to composite resins. They have proven durable and people like having fillings the same color as the rest of their teeth.

  • Your filling falls out. This development is pretty straightforward. Unless you accidentally swallow the filling, you have hard proof that something’s wrong. Your exposed nerve also alerts you. Call a top Asheville dentist immediately.
  • Your filling cracks. Any filling except a gold one can crack over time. If a filling has cracked, you may not notice anything wrong right away, or you may feel temperature sensitivity. Your dentist may find the crack during your regular cleaning. Cracked fillings can be repaired.
  • Your filling leaks. Again, any filling but gold can leak, most often immediately after being put in place. If your tooth is sensitive to cold or hot food and drink for longer than three weeks, schedule a follow-up with your dentist.
  • Your filling wears out. It happens to most fillings, even gold ones. You may never notice anything, but a top Asheville dentist can tell upon examination whether your fillings are still functioning or need to be replaced.

So How Long Do Fillings Last? While fillings last a long time, none of the materials used in fillings last forever. Assuming that your surrounding tooth remains healthy and the filling itself is not large, you can expect your filling to last for years, even decades:

  • Gold fillings last the longest, anywhere from 15 to 30 years.
  • Silver amalgam fillings can last from 10 to 15 years before they need to be replaced.
  • Composite resin fillings don’t last as long. You may need to replace them every five to seven years.

Remember that these are average life expectancies. You can extend the life of your fillings by practicing healthy oral hygiene and taking good care of your teeth. Consult a top Asheville dentist for advice about your fillings. —The Zoe Dental Team : How Long Do Fillings Last?

Can composite fillings last 20 years?

How Long Do Fillings Last? – Mercury fillings do last a long time, but most patients do want the silver fillings in their teeth anymore. That’s why we only use composite resin fillings or white fillings for teeth. These tooth colored fillings if done properly should last 10-20 years.

How often do composite fillings need to be replaced?

How Often Does My Filling Need to be Replaced? – A filling is used to treat an area of decay. It stops it from spreading and restores the tooth’s strength. Although a filling will last for several years, it won’t last forever. Depending on the type used, here’s how long you can expect your restoration to last:

Amalgam Fillings

The most traditional fillings are those made from a mixture of metals. Amalgam fillings are durable and effective, which is why they have been used for well over 100 years. On average, you can expect a metal filling to last for about 15 years before needing to be replaced, but the length of time can vary based on several factors, such as if you grind or clench your teeth.

Composite Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings are made from a mixture of fine glass and plastic particles. They are customized to match your enamel to blend in when you smile. Although they aren’t made from metal, they are durable. They generally last 10 to 12 years before needing to be replaced.

How often should dental fillings be replaced?

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.