All About Temporary Fillings: What Are They?
Temporary fillings are used to fix cavities. There are different types of temporary fillings available in the market today. Some temporary fillings are made from natural materials such as wood or even human teeth. Other temporary fillings are manufactured using synthetic materials such as plastic, rubber, and metal. Most permanent dentistry procedures require a permanent filling because they cannot be repaired naturally with time or over time with proper care. Permanent fillings are not only necessary when your tooth needs to be replaced but also when it is needed for other dental procedures. For example, if you have lost some teeth due to a car accident and need new ones.
How Long Do Temporarily Filling Last?
The lifespan of temporary fillings depends on many factors including the type of material used, the amount of time that it remains in place, and its overall condition. If you have ever had a cavity filled, then you would know that temporary fillings will eventually wear out. However, there are certain temporary fillings which can last longer than others. One of the most common reasons why temporary fillings may last longer is because they are made from natural materials like human teeth rather than artificial materials such as plastics or metals. These types of fillings tend to be stronger and less likely to break down over time.
Out of all the temporary fillings, the ones which are made from plastic or other synthetic materials tend to last the shortest amount of time. It is not uncommon for these types of fillings to start disintegrating when they are exposed to moisture and natural saliva within your mouth.
If you keep a temporary filling in your mouth for an extended period of time, then it is possible that it will just fall out all on its own. The quicker that your temporary filling deteriorates, the more likely you are to experience pain in that specific tooth. This is because the tooth will have been exposed to bacteria and food particles which can lead to an infection within the root of the tooth.
Are Temporary Fillings Safe?
Temporary fillings are safe but only when they are placed properly by a qualified dentist or dental professional. If the temporary filling is not placed correctly or if it is put in too loosely, then you may experience pain in that specific tooth. When this happens, you should contact your dentist immediately to have the filling replaced with another one which fits more securely within your mouth.
How Are Temporary Fillings Removed From Your Mouth?
When you visit our office, we will thoroughly examine the tooth which needs a filling and clean out any remnants of decay or infection within the tooth. When the tooth is in good condition, we will be able to place a permanent filling into it. However, if the tooth still has some serious dental problems or if it is decayed beyond repair, then we may recommend having it extracted instead. We can then replace the missing tooth with an implant or a bridge if necessary.
When it comes to temporary fillings, the only way to have them removed from your mouth is by a qualified dentist. Over time, these types of fillings can start to break down and deteriorate which may lead to symptoms of pain, swelling, and even infection in the surrounding gums.
If you experience any of these symptoms within a tooth that has had a temporary filling placed into it, you should contact our office right away. We will be able to determine if the filling needs to be replaced or if it needs to be removed from your mouth completely.
Benefits of Having a Filling Placed
Even though temporary fillings are not designed to last as long as a permanent filling, they still have many benefits when it comes to restoring the appearance and functionality of your teeth. Since these types of fillings are less expensive to place than other types of restorations, many dentists will use them as a way of ensuring their patients have basic dental care within their lifetime.
These types of fillings are also good for emergency situations. When a tooth has a crack or break in it, it can start to deteriorate quickly and cause you pain.
If you cannot see a dentist right away, a temporary filling can help to alleviate some of your symptoms until you are able to have a proper restoration placed within the tooth.
How Long Will a Filling Last?
If you take good care of your teeth and visit our office on a regular basis, we should be able to check your mouth and the filling to make sure that it is intact. While temporary fillings are less expensive than other types of fillings, you may still need to replace them within a year or two. This will all depend on how well you take care of your teeth and the condition that your tooth is in before we place the filling.
If the tooth has extensive decay or the filling starts to break down, then it may need to be replaced within a year or two. However, if none of these issues are present, then your temporary filling may last for years before you need to replace it.
While this type of filling may not last as long as other fillings, the fact that it relieves your pain and stops your tooth from deteriorating any further is a big step in preventing more extensive dental work from being needed.
In some cases, we may recommend that you have a permanent filling placed within a tooth even if it does not currently have any decay or cracks in it. This is because we want to prevent the development of these problems in the future.
While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, this type of preventive dental care tends to save you money in the long run.
Contact Our Office
If you ever experience severe pain within a tooth or you notice some of your teeth are starting to move out of place, call our office right away. We will be able to examine the tooth in question and see if a temporary filling is an option for you.
We also offer many other dental services such as cosmetic dentistry, implants, root canals, and teeth whitening for those who want whiter teeth. Please browse through our website to learn more about the different services that we offer and be sure to give us a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.
Sources & references used in this article:
Leakage in roots coronally sealed with different temporary fillings by CR Barthel, A Strobach, H Briedigkeit, UB Göbel… – Journal of …, 1999 – Elsevier
A study of temporary fillings as hermetic sealing agents by LI Grossman – Journal of Dental Research, 1939 – journals.sagepub.com
Effect of repeated vertical loads on microleakage of IRM and calcium sulfate-based temporary fillings by R Liberman, A Ben-Amar, E Frayberg, I Abramovitz… – Journal of …, 2001 – Elsevier
Leakage of food‐borne Enterococcus faecalis through temporary fillings in a simulated oral environment by J Kampfer, TN Göhring, T Attin… – International endodontic …, 2007 – Wiley Online Library
Comparative sealing ability of temporary filling materials evaluated by leakage of radiosodium by S Friedman, J Shani, A Stabholz… – International …, 1986 – Wiley Online Library
Microleakage of temporary restorations after thermocycling and mechanical loading by T Mayer, P Eickholz – Journal of Endodontics, 1997 – Elsevier
Bacterial Leakage Through Temporary Fillings in Core Buildup Composite Material–An In Vitro Study. by DK Rechenberg, M Schriber… – Journal of adhesive …, 2012 – search.ebscohost.com
