Research into Filling Failure

People who need dental fillings are in good hands at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton office. For more than twenty-five years, we’ve been repairing peoples’ teeth so that they can chew, speak, and smile again comfortably. But we’re always trying to improve, which is why we wanted to pass along new information about dental filling failure.

A filling will usually last for ten years before the bonding holding it in place cracks and needs to be replaced. The new study looked for common factors among people whose fillings did not even last for five years. It turned out that one of the most reliable predictors was smoking. Alcohol use was a common factor among people whose fillings did not even last for two years.

The researchers also found that risk of premature filling failure was higher for people who had a family history of it and that there are certain genes that may make people predisposed to it. It is especially important for these people to maintain regular appointments so the stability of their fillings can be checked. White resin fillings do not have a higher rate of failure than amalgam fillings, so replacing older fillings can also make a patient’s smile more beautiful.

Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.