You’ve probably heard that the body rejects organs or other things that the immune system considers foreign or invasive.
What you may not know is that your immune system may eventually choose root canals or dental crowns as well. Beyond that, dental treatments don’t last forever. So how long can you expect your filling, crown or root canal to last?
This depends on the situation.
Fillers
There are several ways your fillings can fail, and which way and how long will depend on how long the filling is done and how skilled your dentist is. In general, fillings are (or were) made of gold, silver amalgam, or composite resins. Gold is the strongest and lasts between 15-30 years. Silver fillings generally have the shortest life of 10-15 years, while composites have the shortest life of 5-7. Any of these fillings can wear or fall off over time. Silver and composite fillings (but not gold) can crack or leak. Remember that excellent oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist will help your filling last longer. In general, we recommend composite resin fillings for anterior teeth as they will create a more aesthetic smile.
Crowns
Regardless of your lifestyle and oral hygiene, a crown should last at least five years. However, with daily brushing, occasional flossing, and overall average oral health, we often see crowns lasting 10-15 years. 25-30 years is not unheard of for patients with exceptional brushing, flawless flossing and semi-annual visits to the dentist. Whether the crown is attached to a titanium implant or to your natural root will play a role in whether (and how quickly) the crown is rejected by your body. Avoiding bad habits like chewing your nails or opening plastic wrap with your teeth will also help your crown last longer.
Root Canals
Root canal treatment is often the last option to save a badly infected tooth. Your dentist will make a small hole in your tooth, remove the pulp (nerve and living tissue) and then fill the hole. Given that the tooth is usually quite sick before the procedure, it’s fair to say that these teeth are weaker than most of your other natural teeth. After a root canal, however, it may take another 10-15 years. However, there are ways to help your tooth last for the rest of your life. You can have a coating that will add extra strength and durability to the tooth. You can also carefully plan and keep six monthly appointments with your dentist and make sure you maintain your oral hygiene. It is especially important to protect this tooth from further infection and injury, so do not chew ice,
How long a particular dental treatment will last in a particular person’s mouth will always be somewhat up in the air. There are a number of possible lifespans for any technology, and the better you take care of your mouth, the longer it will last. If you want to learn more about how fillings, crowns and root canals work to keep your smile healthy, contact Dentsuadiye today!
