why are the fillings we got in the 60's so crappy?

Question

almost every one I got has crumbled and destroyed the tooth it was in.

now it's big bucks to fix everything

Answer 1

Because they are FORTY YEARS OLD. What else do you have that you got in the 60's that still works? I am sure you've had at least ten cars in that time.

I wonder what else would last 20-30 years underwater, at about 100 degrees, being called upon to support 40,000 pounds per square inch load.

Nothing lasts forever.

It is typical to find a patient who had a whole mouthful of fillings done as a teenager and then about 30 years later, they ALL start to go bad at the same time. Why would you NOT expect this???

Answer 2

40 years worth of service from "a filling" is quite a track record

The fillings were not meant to be in place that long.

If they are the silver amalgam kind they react to temp by shrinking and expanding, they also react to your biting force as well as clenching and grinding.

No dental restoration, filling, veneer, crown, etc has a 40 year life span. The avg is 20 yrs depending on your personal circumstances. For veneers expect 10-15 years.

A competent dentist should alert you to when the fillings are showing signs of breakdown.. You can usually avoid the crumbling by having them redone sooner.

Answer 3

They were never intented to last your entire life time. More than likely, it's not the filling that is bad it's the tooth around it that shrinks, cracks and crumbles.

Answer 4

if they lasted you up to 40 years, they werent crappy! Most dentists say fillings only last 5-8 years....comnsider yourself lucky...

Brock , 54

Answer 5

technology has marched onward.

they don't even cut your gums to do root canals anymore, thankfully.