how long should a white dental filling last?

Answer 1

I made the transition (in my mind anyway) to using white fillings in back teeth about 20 years ago. It was at that point that every physical property that mattered was at least as good in the white fillings. HOWEVER - you must be meticulous when placing white fillings. A poorly placed white filling will have new decay under it within a matter of weeks or months - not years. If I can not get a good (dry) environment for placing a white filling, I sigh a little bit and go ahead and use a silver filling.

As far as asking how long tooth-colored fillings last, let me say this. I have been putting white fillings in some back teeth for about 25 years, way before the material was really designed for this application. Many of those fillings are still there, because I was very cautious about where I did them. I'd say I was really on the bandwagon by about 1985-1990 and practically every while filling I've done (to my knowledge) is still serving. That's "only" 15-20 years for the oldest ones, but I have only just begun to see some that need replacement because of wear and those that I am replacing are around 20 years old or more.

Answer 2

It would be nice if all fillings lasted indefinitely. The reality is that it depends on many factors, not just the properties of the material itself. IN GENERAL, amalgams can be placed in more demanding situations more often than composite.
Amalgams do tarnish, but this makes them BETTER sealed than composites because the corrosion products fill in any marginal gap. They also ever so slightly expand during setting.
Composites really need a nice enamel margin to bond successfully, and have to be carefully packed in layers to MINIMISE the significant SHRINKAGE during setting reaction. You are therefore much more likely to get marginal leakage and recurrent decay from composite fillings than amalgams.
As Dr Sam says above, you have to pick the right situation for composites and do them very carefully. Amalgams can work nearly anywhere and anyhow.

Answer 3

White fillings can final a life-time. The silver fillings have been much less technique mushy. so they are able to be put in without postpone, and carry for some quantity of time. The down area to them is they are unattractive, and over the years, tend to unfold the tooth aside, optimal to microfractures in the tooth. The white fillings bond issues jointly. although, they require plenty extra skill and technique sensitivity to confirm that they final a jointly as. additionally, if no longer polished exact, they might in specific circumstances get discoloration around the portion of the filling. It does not inevitably mean it desires to get replaced, even though it particularly is a sturdy indicator that the restoration is commencing to fail. desire this facilitates!

Answer 4

as you know everything has a time expectency , but if you want to compare white filling ( composit filling ) to silver filling ( Amalgam filling) composit will last longer than the silver . because silver tends to corrode and lose its seal causing tooth decay . but composit filling bond (Glues) to the tooth giving it longer lasting seal which we are looking for. it might cost more but it worth the investment . good luck

Answer 5

i have had some in my mouth for 10 years now and they are perfect! go with composite, they need to ban the amalgam filling material in my opinion. I would never allow a dentist to put it in my mouth.

Answer 6

it depends on the case, if it is suitable case and done properly then should last for at least 3 yrs
go for ceramic fillings