Dental

How long do dental fillings last?

How long do dental fillings last?

Repairing your tooth with fillings is the most permanent solution because it lasts for years, and each type of dental filling has a different longevity.

In this article, you will know “how long do dental fillings last, and how many times you can replace a filling?”

How long do dental fillings last?

Each type of dental filling has its average age, based on the material used to create it, the pressure on the teeth, and your usual teeth care.

The following answers to the most frequent questions about how long dental fillings last, and when to replace them for the most common dental fillings types.

How long do tooth-colored fillings last?

They last from 10 to 15 years depending on how far you can follow the safety precautions.

The tooth-colored fillings are also known as composite fillings, they are made of resin and plastic and are usually used to repair cavities and restore broken or chipped teeth, they have a natural appearance, and the dentist can colorize them to match your original teeth color. they are suitable for repairing tiny cavities

 Read also about: best dental filling materials

How long do Porcelain/Ceramic fillings last?

They usually last from 10 to 15 years, and with the proper teeth care it can last up to 20 years.

The porcelain fillings are very strong with great endurance, also, they have a natural appearance, after a while you won’t even remember which tooth has the porcelain fillings.

How long do silver amalgam fillings last?

The average age of it is about 6 years, and it can last for 15 years with proper teeth care.

These fillings consist of copper, silver, tin, and mercury, they are the cheapest type of dental fillings, and dentists have used them for more than 150 years.

the silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, and it isn’t suitable for:

  • Kids under 6 years old
  • Allergy to mercury
  • People with kidney disease or neurological condition
  • A pregnant or breastfeeding person, or planning to become pregnant.

How long do gold fillings last?

The gold fillings are the most expensive, and lasting fillings, they last more than 20 years and have to handle the chewing pressure.

Gold fillings are the most durable type of fillings and aren’t tooth colored, so they are suitable for the Back teeth unless you like the gold appearance on your front teeth.

 Read also about: What is a dental filling 

How long do Glass ionomer fillings last?

These fillings are the least durable type of fillings, they only last for up to 5 years and are usually used for repairing kids’ tiny cavities below the gumline.

The Glass ionomer fillings release fluoride in the mouth which protects the teeth from further decay. and with the proper teeth care, they can last even longer than 5 years.

How long do fillings last on front teeth?

The above 5 types of dental fillings can be used to repair the front teeth breakage or cavities, however choosing a specific type depends on your tooth condition, personal preferences, and your dentist’s recommendations. each type has its own average age starting from 5 to 20 years.

The general safety precautions to keep the fillings for a long time:

  • Your general health care.
  • Daily teeth care routine.
  • Improving your eating habits.
  • Periodic visits to your dentist to detect decay early.

Now, after reading this article, you know how long dental fillings last, in addition to each type’s major benefits, and in general all the dental fillings types are long-lasting, and choosing the right fillings depends on your special case.   and you can consult our dentists, by booking an appointment by calling: 954-475-8100

What is a dental filling

What is a dental filling? 

What is a dental filling? and what are its benefits?

These questions might cross your mind. If you have a toothache because you eat a lot of sweets or have a tooth cavity, you want to fill these cracks to maintain your teeth and prevent further decay.

In this article, you’re going to know what is a dental filling, its types, materials, and all the information required for early tooth repair. from our dentists’ experience at Sunrise

What is a dental filling

What is a dental filling?

Dental filling is the common procedure to treat dental caries, complete the dental cracks, and fill the cavities, to prevent your teeth from falling off your dentist does this by adding a single or combination of materials such as metals, glass, gold, and plastics to repair your teeth.

What are dental fillings made of?

There are many types of dental fillings and choosing the convenient type for you depends on your teeth condition. and we will discuss them based on their advantages and disadvantages.

Amalgam fillings (silver fillings):

These fillings are the most used type of dental fillings and are made of mercury mixed with zinc, tin, copper, and silver.

These materials are used for safety and durability by World Dental Federation FDI, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Advantages:

  • Amalgam fillings are known for their long stability and longevity; they last for 10 to 15 years at least
  • They’re less expensive than tooth-coloured composite fillings.
  • They have great durability so they are less likely to get broken.

Disadvantages:

  • To make the filling stable in its location, the dentist has to make a bigger hole to be able to hold the fillings.
  • The amalgam fillings create a little gray color around the tooth because it consists of metals.
  • It’s not suitable for anyone with sensitivity or allergy to mercury or any other material in the amalgam fillings.

What is a dental filling

Cast gold fillings:

The cast gold fillings can be considered one of the best type of dental fillings because it’s strong with minimum side effects.

The advantages of the gold fillings:

  • It protects and supports the tooth’s enamel margins because the gold fillings are so easy to place in their location, and they protect the enamel margins from breakage.
  • They are permanent fillings, can withstand the eating pressure for a long time, and you may not need to replace them at all.
  • Gold fillings don’t absorb the mouth fluids, which doesn’t cause a bad smell.
  • Gold is one of the oldest materials used in dental fillings and crowns because it’s Esthetic; it doesn’t discolor the tooth, or change its original color and has a very clean look.

The disadvantages:

  • The gold fillings are the most expensive type of fillings because they require special types of materials, and preparations to allow a perfect fit in the cavity, however, it’s still affordable.
  • Gold isn’t tooth-colored; even if some people like the gold fillings because of their attractive color, some people don’t like to use them in the front teeth because of their color.

Tooth-colored Composites:

These fillings are made of plastic resins and powdered glass, this is one type of dental fillings famous for its natural appearance, and it’s easy to blend with tooth structure, That’s why it’s used to fill the cavities in the front teeth.

Advantages of the tooth-colored composites:

  • Composites’ natural appearance puts these fillings on the top 4 types of dental fillings, and they are well suited to fill the cavities in the front teeth.
  • Composites bond easily with the rest of the tooth structure, which means it’s stable, and offers a big support for the tooth.
  • It can be used to repair broken, chipped, or worn teeth.

Disadvantage of the tooth-colored composites:

  • Their longevity is shorter than other types of dental fillings, it lasts for 5 years, especially if they are used to fill large cavities.
  •  It can take more than 20 minutes to apply the composite fillings, and you will need to visit your doctor more than one time to apply it.
  • The composite fillings can cost 2 times the price of the amalgam fillings.

What is a dental filling

Porcelain/Ceramics fillings:

They are custom-made cavities fillings; they are made in the lab before applying to the tooth, and made of ceramic polymer so they take the shape of the cavities.

Advantages of porcelain fillings:

  • They last for at least 15 years
  • It only takes 2 visits to the dentist to complete the whole process.
  • They don’t discolor the tooth, and this is especially good for people who drink coffee and tea a lot.
  • Porcelain doesn’t contain any toxic material so it doesn’t cause any allergic reaction.
  •  They dry fast once your dentist applies them to the cavities.

Disadvantage of porcelain fillings:

  • Sometimes, Porcelain isn’t suitable for treating small cavities or chipped teeth based on the tooth condition.
  • They are expensive because of the material used, and the process required to apply the fillings.
  • It takes a longer time to apply the porcelain fillings, so if you’re in a hurry, you can try the composite fillings.

Overall, It’s important to know that choosing the best type of fillings for your tooth depends on many factors such as its condition, location, personal preference, and your dentist.

you can have a further understanding of the fillings’ types benefits when consulting your dentist, and we at Sunrise BLVD Dental, are proud to offer you professional dental care services that fulfill your expectations, and more. to book your appointment, call: 954-475-8100

Dentures Look and Feel More Natural Than Ever Before

Dentures Look and Feel More Natural Than Ever Before

Dentures are an effective tooth-replacement option for anyone missing multiple teeth. Dentures are custom created and made of removable prosthetic appliances with artificial teeth.

Dentures impact a person’s self-esteem, dignity, confidence, nutritional intake, chewing, digestion, phonetics (speech), facial muscle support (appearance) and intimacy. While most patients assume that you have to be over a certain age to qualify for dentures, this is not the case. Missing teeth can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender.

Partial Dentures

A partial denture is used when a patient is missing a section of teeth. Partial dentures rest on a metal framework attached to your still-existing teeth. Dentists will often place crowns on select surrounding natural teeth to serve as supportive anchors for the denture.

Full Dentures

Full dentures are used to replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. The remaining teeth need to be removed first before a conventional or immediate full denture can be created.

Immediate Denture:

These are dentures which are given immediately after tooth removal. These dentures
will require corrections as they underlying gums will shrink and heal.

Implant Supported Dentures:

Dental implants are small screws that are similar to the roots of teeth are placed in the jaws and a denture is placed over them. These dentures provide the closest resemblance to natural teeth.

Advantages to Getting Prompt Dental Treatment

It may be hard to feel good about the news you have problems with tooth decay, but it is beneficial to receive an early warning about a cavity. Timing is important when it comes to restorative dental work. Going to routine dental appointments is something everyone should do twice per year. No one is immune to oral issues which means that everyone needs routine dental care. Oral pain typically happens because there is some type of problem. Your body is letting you know that there is an issue that needs to be addressed.

The risk of tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss can be reduced with good oral hygiene, a low-sugar and acid diet, wearing a mouthguard when playing sport, and regular visits to the dentist.

Gum disease is a common issue. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can lead to symptoms such as pain, inflamed gums, and bleeding gums. Gingivitis itself is not considered an emergency but if you do not address it early on it can progress into periodontitis. Periodontitis is more serious and can lead to more severe pain, receding gums, and tooth loss.

Another common issue is Tooth decay which can lead to serious pain and damage to your teeth. If the pain you feel is caused because of decay, you will continue to have issues until you see the dentist and have it treated.

Professional cleaning removes built-up debris from the teeth. This may include food particles, soft plaque (bacterial growth) or hard calculus (caused by the mineral deposits from saliva onto the soft plaque , sometimes called tartar). Plaque and calculus are the main causes of gum disease. Professional cleaning helps treat and prevent gum disease.

Dental fillings are used to treat tooth decay that has caused a cavity (hole). The dentist removes decay from the tooth, cleans the cavity, dries and seals it with a filling material.

For more details please contact www.sunriseblvddental.com

Importance of a Routine Dental Check-up

A routine dental check-up is important to ensure that there are no issues with your oral health and to detect any concerns as early as possible. Putting off regular checkups, or refusing to go to the dentist at all, often leads to complications, pain, and expenses that could have easily been avoided.

A routine dental check-up helps with the prevention of a range of oral health concerns, including but not limited to periodontal disease, teeth decay, and teeth stains.

Gum Disease

Plaque and tartar buildup not only cause tooth decay but can also erode the mouth’s gum tissues. This happens when tartar buildup causes an infection where the gum is connected to the tooth, making the gum pull away from the tooth.

Dental Checkups Prevent Plaque, Tartar, Cavities And Tooth Decay

Even the most fastidious person can fail to clean the hard-to-reach places in their mouth. A good example is the back molars, which are notoriously hard to clean. That is why every person should see a dentist every six months.

Keep teeth looking great

There are also cosmetic benefits to a dental check-up visit. Generally, the dentist performs a routine cleaning procedure the same day as the check-up. This removes plaque and tartar build-up on teeth and along the gum line, which can help reduce the risk of developing teeth stains.

Keeping Bad Habits in Check

There are many bad habits that can have a negative impact on your oral health, some of which you may not even realize are causing issues. Some of these habits include chewing ice, biting your nails, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, eating particularly sticky or hard sweets, brushing your teeth too hard, drinking coffee and red wine, and of course smoking.

Find Problems Under the Surface With X-Rays

A crucial part of visiting your dentist every six months is getting your teeth and jaw bone x-rayed. X-ray images allow dental professionals to see what is happening beneath the surfaces of your mouth, and can find and diagnose issues that may be invisible to the naked eye. Problems like this can include impacted teeth, which are growing teeth that are blocked from pushing through the gum line, as often seen in wisdom teeth.

Sunrise Blvd Dental offers New Patient Special – Just $29 which includes Cleaning, Exam and X-Ray. Schedule your Dental Appointment with us today and experience the difference.
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📌 Sunrise Blvd Dental, 8320 W Sunrise Blvd, Plantation, FL 33322

Happy Thanksgiving From Sunrise Blvd Dental

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a time to be thankful and express gratitude for all of the amazing people in our lives. At Sunrise Blvd Dental, we hope you are able to spend quality time with your family and friends while enjoying a feast of food.

With all the eating, drinking, and merriment going on, it can be hard to prioritize our oral health. Luckily, simple changes in our Thanksgiving Day celebrations can add up to huge improvements in our smiles. Remember to be mindful of common problems that may indicate a dental issue, such as gum disease. Gum disease is treatable, curable and preventable, and we are on the front lines battling it for you.

Here are a few Thanksgiving Dental Tips

Stay Hydrated. It’s always a good idea to drink lots of water, but especially when you’re eating lots of rich, sweet foods, staying hydrated can help wash away debris and prevent plaque formation.

Brush and Floss. You need to be especially diligent about dental hygiene on Thanksgiving. Even if you go to a friend or family member’s home for the holiday, make sure you bring a toothbrush and floss.

Limiting the sticky foods. The sticky foods that cover the table can harm your teeth more than you know. The cranberry sauce, pecan pie, mashed potatoes, and other sticky foods tend to cling to your teeth and create an environment that allows bacteria to thrive and affect your gums and tooth enamel.

Shortening your meal time. The worst thing you can do for your smile is snack throughout the day and drag out your meal time. Doing so will keep your smile continually exposed to the acids the food produce, increasing your chances of developing tooth decay.

Scheduling a cleaning appointment. It’s important that you receive a dental cleaning shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday. This appointment will eliminate your smile from the food particles and bacteria that cover and harm your teeth.

Our entire team at Sunrise Blvd Dental understands that you have a lot of options when it comes to you and your family’s dental needs, and we value our relationship with you as we work together.

Tips for Keeping Teeth Healthy around Halloween

Ghosts and ghouls aside, the amount of sugar Americans consume on this day may be the scariest part of Halloween. There are a lot of scary things about Halloween…but cavities don’t have to be one of them!

We can all agree that candy simply isn’t good for teeth, but some candies are worse than others – especially if your child has braces.

Sticky, Chewy, or Gummy Candy- The stickier the food is, the longer it will adhere to your child’s teeth and the more likely it is to be left behind, even after brushing. This gives bacteria more time to do their dirty work, making your child’s teeth more prone to cavities the longer candy is stuck in between your child’s teeth.

Sour or Acidic Candy- It’s the tart and tangy candy that seems to be all fun and games until they break down enamel and create lasting damage to your teeth.

Hard Candy- Hard candies are bad for your teeth due to the amount of time that it takes to suck on the candy before it’s gone.

To keep your kids from eating too much sugar in one sitting, offer them fresh snacks, like fruits and vegetables, before trick-or-treating. Snacks like apples, oranges, carrots, bananas, and grapes. In addition to fruits and vegetables, your kids may enjoy pretzels, nuts, or other healthy options.

Besides having positive overall health benefits, water is great for your teeth and mouth too! Drinking water helps rinse away sugar that would otherwise cling to teeth. It also balances out the pH levels in your mouth that sugar makes unbalanced.

Eat Halloween candy (and other sugary foods) with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals. This helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and rinse away food particles.

Stay Away from Sugary Beverages – This includes soda, sports drinks and flavored waters. When teeth come in frequent contact with beverages that contain sugar, the risk of tooth decay is increased.

Floss your teeth once a day. Decay-causing bacteria get between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

It’s OK to eat candy on Halloween but it’s important to have a dental plan. With these tips in mind, your family is ready to have a great Halloween!

Best ways to care your Dental Implants

Dental implants are now a very common treatment option to replace missing teeth among adults. Patients love dental implants because they are made to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. If you want to keep your dental implants for as long as possible, then you should follow these tips on how to care for a dental implant, which includes:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day

Your oral hygiene routine will both help to protect your teeth and your dental implants. It is essential to ensure that you floss on a daily basis, as well as brush your teeth at least twice a day. Taking care of your teeth will often help to prevent damage from impacting your dental implants.

2. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush

Hard-bristled toothbrushes should always be avoided. They can damage the enamel on your teeth and are particularly bad for dental implants. Toothbrushes with hard bristles easily scratch the surface of implants, thus causing irreversible damage.

Consequently, it’s important to use soft-bristled toothbrushes exclusively after getting dental implants.

Look for a soft nylon brush instead! These have pliable and gentle bristles that won’t damage your implants.

3. Floss daily with unwaxed tape or implant-specific floss

Flossing is crucial for removing food particles and plaque that accumulates between the teeth and cannot be removed by brushing alone. t’s essential to switch to an implant-friendly floss. You should floss daily with unwaxed tape or another implant-specific floss.

4. Drink More Water

Water has a number of benefits, not just for your overall health, but for your oral health as well. Perhaps one of the most important benefits to your oral health is that it promotes saliva production. Saliva is extremely important to dental implants because it helps to remove excess food and bacteria, as well as neutralizes acids produced by bacteria.

5. Avoid damaging habits

Dental implant crowns are extremely durable, but even so, they can still chip, crack, and break.

Your dental implant will last longer if you avoid damaging habits like:

Chewing on ice
Chewing on pens or pencils
Chewing on hard candies
Not wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth

6. Limit Alchohol Consumption

Alcohol is high in sugar, which promotes tooth decay in normal teeth. However, alcohol is also problematic for dental implants. Not only does it speed up the accumulation of plaque, but it also slows down the healing process post-dental implant surgery.

7. Quit smoking

Smoking is incredibly harmful to your oral health. If you choose to smoke, you place yourself at high risk for developing a range of health issues ranging from tooth decay to cancer.

Looking for Dental Implants in Plantation, FL? Contact Sunrise Blvd Dental in
954-475-8100

Missing Teeth and Hidden Risks

A missing tooth reflects your facial appearance very quickly. It’s not only a cosmetic problem. Losing a tooth is a big loss.

Tooth loss is often caused by tooth decay or trauma. Although it can be corrected with restorative options like dental implants, bridges and dentures, a large number of people forego treatment and simply live with the loss. Missing teeth can lead to a multitude of health issues.

Every tooth performs a specific task in the eating process. For example, the incisors are for biting, while the molars and pre-molars have been designed to grind food. Missing teeth can lead to only being able to consume foods that are easy-to-chew. The change in diet and inability to eat certain foods can lead to digestive problems and other health issues.

The teeth play an important role in maintaining gum health and stimulating the bone in your jaws and once a tooth is lost, the missing tooth roots can lead to bone loss if left untreated. The gaps created by missing teeth also tends to change the shape of your mouth and encourage neighbouring teeth to move out of their usual position.

Perfectly arranged teeth can become crooked due to a missing tooth. Since every tooth occupies its own space, a missing tooth leaves space that forces the remaining teeth to try and fill the void. The surrounding teeth will begin to shift to and bend towards the gap. crooked teeth can also create areas that a toothbrush or floss cannot reach. Food particles will become plaque and spread in these areas, developing into an infection.

People who avoid smiling or lack self-confidence in their smile due to crooked/missing teeth will benefit from seeking professional treatment. Missing teeth can also lead to a lack of functions. For example, incisors are responsible for voice production. If a patient happens to lose any of these teeth, problems in word pronunciation will occur which could, in turn, ruin self-confidence.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Sunrise Blvd Dental, call (954) 475-8100. Our dental office is located in 8320 W. Sunrise Blvd, Suite 110, Plantation, FL 33322.

Dental Implant Restoration

A dental implant restoration is a great way to restore or replace teeth that are in bad shape or completely missing. Dentists provide different kinds of dental restorations to adult patients who want to improve their oral health and the way their smile appears.

The missing teeth may even affect the way a person speaks. General health may suffer as eating may be difficult. Restoring missing teeth can improve a person’s appearance, health, and self-confidence. Fortunately, there is a solution for replacing missing teeth. Implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss. Dental implants can be used to replace one missing tooth or groups of missing teeth. These artificial roots are used to support crowns, bridges, or dentures that look and feel natural.

The entire implant process takes place over the course of a few months. If your dentist has determined that you’re a good candidate for dental implantation, the process is started when your dentist first places the implant. In most cases, implants can be placed using local anaesthesia. When you’re sufficiently numb, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum and insert the implant.

Your dentist will recommend regular check-ups to examine your implants and restorations. Excellent oral hygiene practices are essential to maintain implant function. If you’re interested in dental implants, contact Sunrise Blvd Dental for a consultation.