if i take excellent care of them how long will my composite tooth fillings 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. If you do a search on the safety of silver amalgam fillings, you will find time and time again that the ADA, AMA and anyone else that matters says that they are safe. No legitimate study has been done to show that they are dangerous. There are days that go by that I don't use any silver at all, but then there are days when I place 2 or 3 silver fillings and I'm glad that I still have that option.

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

That is a difficult question to answer without knowing how badly broken down your teeth were before the fillings were placed, and knowing the type of materials that were used.

It is also matters what you mean by excellent care. Do you mean brushing AND flossing?

Does that also mean you'll be avoiding acidic beverages that cause immense wear to the resin that composites are made out of? Does that mean you'll take care of your general health as well? Acid Reflux can reduce the lifespan of composite fillings significantly.

As you can see there are many factors besides simply bushing your teeth to the lifespan of your fillings.

That being said.. if you have a good diet, take care of your teeth, and the fillings were conservative and placed well.. they could acheive 7-10 years. In some cases longer.

Answer 3

They can last 8 to 15 years. I've seen them last longer in some patients. Avoid things that can stain your teeth because a composite filling is porous and will become stained over time. Once the filling is stained the stain can't be removed unless you replace the filling.

Answer 4

Are those the white ones? I have heard that they don't last as long as regular fillings. I have had fillings for almost 30 years and never had a problem with the cracking or coming out.

Answer 5

a lot longer friend!