Dental fillings typically last around 10 years on average, but their longevity depends largely on the type of material used and other factors like oral hygiene and eating habits. Average lifespan by filling material:
- Gold fillings: Up to 20 years, sometimes longer (10-30 years reported)
- Ceramic/Porcelain fillings: Around 15 years
- Amalgam (silver) fillings: 10 to 15 years, sometimes up to 20 years with good care
- Composite (white) fillings: About 7 years, sometimes up to 10-15 years with excellent care
- Glass ionomer fillings: Around 5 years or less
- Temporary fillings: Designed to last only 6-8 weeks, sometimes up to 3 months
The durability of a filling can be affected by factors such as your dental hygiene, eating habits, teeth grinding, trauma, and decay around the filling
. Regular dental checkups are important to monitor fillings and replace them when necessary, especially if you notice pain, discomfort, or visible damage
. In summary, while fillings do not last forever, with proper care they can remain functional for many years, with gold and ceramic fillings generally lasting the longest and glass ionomer the shortest.
