ental fillings and root canals are your typical dental solutions for tooth decay and an excess of bacteria. These short procedures preserve your tooth and reduce the amount of decay it endures to maintain your oral health. While a filling is to remedy a tooth being affected by a cavity, a root canal goes further than that as it’s a method to aid your tooth that has infected pulp caused by a neglected cavity. But how long do these treatments actually last once you have them done at your Vancouver dentist? It’s a common misconception that once you have these procedures done, your teeth will remain in good condition forever. While that would certainly be an inexpensive fix, these dental remedies are not permanent. After getting a filler or root canal, you will have to ensure to upkeep your filling and root canals through proper maintenance and making adjustments to your lifestyle if necessary.

 

Here is how you can prevent damage to your root canal and dental filling and how long each dental solution can endure before deterioration can occur.

 

How long do fillings last?

When your tooth decay symptoms and cavities become visible and hard to ignore, including dark spots and minuscule holes around any area of your tooth, you will require a filling at your dental office. This filling will prevent the spread of tooth decay, remove the excess bacteria that has collected around your tooth, and can help restore your damaged tooth to a healthy condition. Typically, a dental filling will last up to 15 years and will begin to deteriorate simply due to normal wear and tear. Chewing can cause great pressure on your filling, and it becomes liable to crack and leak, eventually falling out entirely. After years of wear and tear, your filling can become harmful as it can begin to collect bacteria and pieces of food underneath the filling. When you begin to feel a bit of discomfort around the area where you received your filling, this could indicate that you need to make an appointment with your dentist to get the filling replaced.

 

The lifespan of a root canal

The lifespan of a root canal differs from that of a filling. A root canal can last anywhere from one to 10 years, depending on certain factors. If you time the root canal correctly and your tooth isn’t too damaged from the infected pulp, your root canal will typically have a longer lifespan. If you wait too long to get your treatment, or circumstances prolong it out of your control, the infected pulp can spread to the jaw, and the effectiveness of the root canal will be impacted. Another consideration is the location of the tooth. If your tooth is near the front of your mouth, it only has one root canal and is much less complex to restore. Because the back teeth have more root canals, they can be harder to restore. The back teeth are also subject to grinding, which will decrease the average lifespan of the procedure. More so, if you’re a patient at an advanced age, where teeth become more brittle, root canals can be a less effective method for tooth restoration.

 

Filling maintenance

According to health experts, there are many factors that contribute to how long your tooth filling can last. Some of these can include if you regularly brush and floss your teeth, the depth of decay around where the filling is located, if you grind your teeth when sleeping, your diet, and if you suffer from any abrupt tooth trauma around the filling. These instances and routines will all contribute to the longevity of your filling, and sometimes, lifestyle adjustments are required to ensure your oral health is maintained.

 

Root canal aftercare

Once you have received your root canal, there are certain steps you can take to ensure it has the longest lifespan possible. Adopting healthy oral routines, like brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing after every meal, can reduce the chances of your root canal wearing out after a year. By scheduling regular dental checkups with your dentist, you will take further preventive action to reduce the chances of your root canal expiring, as your dentist can help you clean and increase the general health of your teeth. If you experience any oral problems after getting your root canal, you should be prompt in getting everything checked out by your dentist as soon as you can.