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All too frequently, people assume that once a tooth is filled, it’s good for life. While dental fillings can last for several years, they do need replacing periodically. Usually, the average lifespan of a filling depends on the material chosen by your dentist. Other factors that can influence its longevity include your daily oral hygiene routine, the type of tooth that has been filled and the size of the filling.

We’ve listed the most commonly used filling materials and the average life expectancy of each below.

Gold Fillings

Gold fillings don’t corrode and can last for 10 or 15 years or longer.

Composite Resin

Composite resin fillings are practically invisible as they closely match the colour of your tooth. They usually last an average of five years, although with care they may last for longer.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

These types of fillings are typically used around the gum line and are designed to release fluoride. They are relatively weak but should still last around five years.

Porcelain Fillings

Porcelain fillings have similar strength and longevity to gold fillings and typically last 15 years or more.

We will check the condition of your fillings at every dental examination and if needed, can replace them, so they continue to protect and preserve your teeth.