Dental fillings usually do not last a lifetime.
1. Dental caries fillings involve removing the decayed tissue and then filling the defect with materials such as composite resin and glass ionomer to simulate the shape of a normal tooth. These fillings usually do not last a lifetime.
2. Composite resin is mainly bonded to the tooth by a chemical bonding agent, which is inherently contractile and shrinks in volume after light curing, so there is micro-leakage between the bonding surface and the tooth, which is prone to secondary caries. Glass ions are also chemically bonded to the teeth. With the long-term wetting of oral saliva, glass ions will also dissolve, resulting in secondary caries.
3. When secondary caries progresses to a certain extent, it will lead to loosening and dislodging of the filling. In addition, the abrasion resistance of composite resin and glass ions is relatively low compared to normal teeth, which is easy to wear out and therefore difficult to maintain for a lifetime.
Regular oral checkups are recommended for early detection and treatment of any disease.