Fillings
Dental Fillings at
Lanham Family Dentistry
A dental filling is a simple procedure that "fills in" a damaged area of your tooth. Whether you have a cavity, a small crack, or a chipped tooth, a filling stops the damage and restores your tooth's structural integrity.
Schedule an Exam →Types of Fillings & Longevity
We evaluate the integrity of your existing fillings at every exam. If you need a new one, we offer durable materials designed to blend seamlessly with your smile or withstand heavy biting forces.
Tooth-Colored (Composite) Fillings
These fillings are color-matched to your natural tooth shade using a precise shade guide, making them virtually invisible.
Lifespan: Typically 5–10 years.
Amalgam (Silver) Fillings
While less aesthetic, amalgam fillings are incredibly strong and are often used on back molars where biting forces are heaviest.
Lifespan: Typically 10–15 years.
What Affects Lifespan?
How long your filling lasts depends on the size of the filling, its location in your mouth, your daily oral hygiene habits, and whether you grind or clench your teeth.
Are old silver fillings safe?
Yes. If an existing filling you received decades ago is solid, intact, has no decay around it, and isn't catching plaque, there is no need for concern or replacement.
How Cavities Form
Cavities don't happen overnight. Understanding how they form is the first step in preventing them.
Plaque Buildup
Sugars and carbohydrates in our diets lead to the formation of plaque. If you miss plaque while brushing, bacteria utilize it to produce acids.
Acid Attack
These acids attack your tooth structure. Over time, this acid wears a hole in the enamel, creating a cavity that requires a filling.
Silent Progression
Early cavities have no symptoms! By the time you notice pain, sensitivity, or a hole, the cavity has likely progressed close to the nerve.
It Can Spread
The bacteria that caused a cavity on one tooth can easily cause a cavity on another tooth surface if the mouth is not adequately cleaned.
How to Prevent Decay
Some people are naturally more prone to decay due to genetics, medications causing dry mouth, or low salivary flow. However, everyone can benefit from a strong preventative routine.
Daily Maintenance
Aim to brush twice a day and floss once a day. Proper brushing and flossing technique matters just as much as frequency. Limit sugary and highly acidic foods in your diet.
Professional Cleanings
Schedule regular dental checkups. Dentists use clinical and radiographic exams to detect cavities in their earliest stages before they cause pain.
Reversing Early Lesions
In the earliest stages, fluoride application and intricate at-home care can actually reverse a lesion and repair the enamel. Once it reaches the dentin, a filling is required.
Structural Limits
A filling restores strength, but a filled tooth is never quite as strong as a natural one. If a large percentage of the tooth decays, we may recommend a crown instead.