How long do fillings last?

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Fillings are durable, not permanent. NHS patient information says amalgam metal fillings usually outlast composite white fillings, while the ADA notes dentists weigh how long a filling could last alongside the size and location of the cavity when choosing material. In practice, well-placed fillings often serve for a decade or more, and some last decades, but lifespan depends on things material cannot control: how big the filling is, whether you grind your teeth, your decay risk, and how well you clean around the edges. The failure modes are slow and visible: edges leaking or staining, the filling cracking or chipping, new decay forming around it, sensitivity that does not settle, or a piece breaking away. NHS guidance says some sensitivity after a new filling should resolve within a few weeks, and you should contact the clinic if it has not settled within 4 weeks, since that can signal a deeper problem. The practical answer: you do not replace fillings on a schedule; your dentist checks them at check-ups and replaces them when they fail or start leaking.

How long do fillings last?

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