How long do fillings last?

With good care, white fillings commonly last around 5–10 years, often longer. How long yours lasts depends on the material and on how the tooth is used.

• White (composite) fillings. Tooth-coloured and bonded to the tooth, so they blend in. They suit most small and medium cavities.
• Silver (amalgam) fillings. Very hard-wearing and often last 10–15 years or longer, but they are clearly visible.
• Crowns for larger repairs. When too little natural tooth is left for a filling, a crown covers and protects the whole tooth.

Whatever the material, these things affect how long a filling lasts:

• Size. Small fillings usually last longer than large ones.
• Location. Back teeth take more chewing force than front teeth.
• Biting forces and habits. Grinding, clenching, chewing ice or biting hard objects wears fillings faster.
• Oral hygiene. New decay can start around the edge of a filling if plaque is left behind.

Regular check-ups let the dentist spot a worn or leaking filling early. An X-ray can show decay under old fillings that cannot be seen by eye. Read more about our tooth filling treatment.

There is no universal number. How many fillings someone has depends on their age, dental history, diet, oral hygiene and how often they have had check-ups and cleanings.

Fillings also build up over a lifetime. An adult may have fillings placed in childhood, and old fillings are sometimes replaced, so comparing your number with someone else tells you very little.

What matters more is the health of your own teeth today. Brushing, cleaning between teeth, regular check-ups and professional teeth cleaning help prevent new decay.

Some discomfort is normal. The tooth is usually numbed first, so most people feel only pressure during treatment. Afterwards, the tooth may feel sensitive to hot, cold or biting for a few days. This usually settles on its own.

If your bite feels high or uneven once the numbness wears off, the filling may need a small adjustment. This is a quick fix, so let us know.

Contact a dentist if pain:

• Lasts longer than a week or two, or keeps getting worse.
• Throbs or keeps you awake at night.
• Comes with swelling in the gum or face.

These signs do not always mean something is wrong, but the tooth should be checked. Message us on WhatsApp or contact the clinic, and we can see you.

Seven fillings in one appointment may be possible in some cases, but it is not right for everyone. Whether it suits you depends on:

• Your oral health. Deep decay may need other treatment first, such as root canal treatment.
• How complex the fillings are. Small fillings take less time than large ones.
• Appointment length. Most single fillings take about 30–60 minutes, so several can mean a long visit.
• Comfort. Treating both sides of the mouth at once can leave a large area numb.

After your assessment, the dentist explains which teeth need treatment and whether to do them in one visit or spread them over a few. You hear the plan and the price before anything starts. See our prices or read our tooth filling cost guide.

Needing several fillings is also a good time to look at why decay is happening, so it is less likely to come back. You can see all our dental services or contact us to book.