How long do dental fillings last? A guide to common dental procedures and their longevity

When it comes to researching cosmetic dental procedures, you may know how long dental implants last and can probably break down how long it may take for dental veneers to come loose. Of course, these are important things to know when it comes to investing in a cosmetic option for your smile. But what about restorative options?

While commonly performed in dental surgeries around the world, few dental patients know how long a standard restorative treatment should last. It goes without saying that extractions are permanent but what about fillings? And can your lifestyle choices impact on this in the same way that it can on oral implants or veneers?

 

At Brisbane Laser Dentist, any work done by dental at Coorparoo is designed to be long-lasting, allowing you to enjoy the restorative and cosmetic advantages that accompany basic dental restoration. Our team will take the necessary time to fit fillings, root canals or crowns, to ensure that they won’t reverse or fail as soon as you leave our surgery. After all, keeping your smile looking great and working well is what we do!

 

So, what are the average lifespans of some of the restorative dental at Coorparoo that we offer? Read on to find out!

 

Fillings

 

There are 2 types of filling used in our dental at Coorparoo; amalgam and composite.

An amalgam (or metal) filling can last anywhere from 10 to 40 years, with an average being at about 15 years. Composite fillings (white) also have an average lifespan of 15 years.

 

Both of these are subject to a shortened span based on your dental hygiene, the exposure of the filling to hot and cold temperatures (amalgam) and whether or not you smoke.

 

Root canals

 

A root canal involves our team drilling into your tooth and cleaning around the pulp to remove any infected debris.

 

Packed with filling material, root canals are often topped with either a filling or a crown, to add strength to the tooth. As this is quite a complex procedure which can cause the tooth to weaken, your root-canaled tooth has an average span of 7 years and should be examined at every biannual check-up. Again, this will vary based on your oral hygiene and the skill of the practitioner who fitted it.

 

Whitening

 

Whitening is not exactly restorative, but it can be performed by our general dentist at Brisbane Laser. And as it is so popular, you may want to know how long your teeth will stay that pearly shade for.

 

Following a professional whitening from our team, you can expect your teeth to stay whiter for an average of 2-3 years. We may be able to offer you a whitening kit for top-ups at home, which will add to the longevity.

 

Crowns

 

Provided that it has been performed to a high standard (which it would be with our team at Brisbane Laser Dentist), a crown can last up to 10 years. On average, it lasts around 7 years but this is linked to oral hygiene levels.

 

DISCLAIMER

 

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.