In general, adults develop an average of three cavities during their lifetimes. This means that the average adult has three or four fillings in their mouth. Some patients end up with ten or more fillings depending on how well they care for their teeth.
Age-related changes in oral hygiene practices and cumulative tooth wear and tear can increase the likelihood of fillings. The frequency of cavity fillings for adults in their middle years is typically 6 to 10 fillings.
However, most teeth can safely have up to three fillings. If a tooth has more than three fillings, there is a greater risk of the tooth breaking or developing problems with the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth.
Technically, there is no limit to the number of filling you can get in one session. However, dentists do not recommend having more than three fillings at a time.
Determining If the Filling Is Too High
If you feel some sensitivity, soreness, or pressure on certain sections of the teeth, it's a good indicator of a high filling. Because of the uneven bite caused by the filling, you'll find that many simple tasks become difficult or even downright unpleasant.
In general, adults develop an average of three cavities during their lifetimes. This means that the average adult has three or four fillings in their mouth. Some patients end up with ten or more fillings depending on how well they care for their teeth.
So, if you have one dental filling, maybe it's OK. But if you have more than eight dental filings, the potential risk for adverse effect is higher," Yu said. People with numerous dental fillings who are also exposed to mercury from other sources, such as seafood or work environments, are most at risk.
Here's the short answer: No. Most fillings cause little to no discomfort during any part of the procedure. This is a result of using highly effective numbing agents.
Can I Work After Getting a Cavity Filled? Yes, a cavity filling procedure will not prohibit you from going to work. You should only feel minor discomfort. If you feel severe pain after receiving a filling, contact your dentist.
Once you have more filling material than natural tooth material your tooth no longer holds enough strength. In this instance, you might need an inlay, onlay, or dental crown to protect your tooth. You might also need a restoration instead of filling replacement if your tooth has several fillings in the same tooth.
Here are several factors that may contribute to a high cavity rate: Diet – “Sip all day, get decay.” If you sip, graze or snack on anything sugary throughout the day, your chances of getting cavities increase by quite a bit.
Getting holes filled might require ten minutes to 1 hour per tooth, depending on the size of the cavity and its location. In some cases, you might even need two appointments with the dentist near you to fill the hole in your tooth, especially if tooth decay removal compromises the integrity of the tooth.
Most dentists will not perform more than 4 fillings in one sitting. Technically there is no limit to home many fillings can be given at a time. However, we do not recommend doing more than four at one time.
Tooth shape, alignment, and composition.
Teeth with deep grooves in them are more likely to trap foods and develop cavities. Similarly, misaligned teeth may collect food particles and bacteria between them. If your genes have cursed you with thin tooth enamel, you may also be more prone to develop cavities.
Dental fillings are unfortunately very common in the UK With 84% of adults having at least one or more fillings and each of those adults having on average 7 fillings.
A large filling can also weaken the tooth and, should this filling fail, it may be the case that the tooth is no longer able to support a cavity and a root canal treatment may be needed as a result or a crown may be needed in order to replace the filling.
In many cases, the sensitivity will likely last several days or even possibly several weeks. This sensitivity is completely normal as it is a result of nerves in the filled tooth sending pain signals to surrounding teeth and gums. Thus, there is no need to panic if someone feels sensitive in the aftermath of a filling.
After five years, researchers found that six out of 10 teeth that were next to a filling had decayed. Of those, almost 30% required a filling. The study, published in the Journal of Dentistry, has prompted leading dentistry experts to say having a filling may do "more harm than good".
There are two main risks to getting fillings: infection and damage. Sometimes when you get a filling, it can pull away from the tooth which leaves a small space open. This space is an area where bacteria can get in and cause more tooth decay and infection. Cavity fillings can also break or fall out completely.
There can be several different reasons why a filling can fail. A failed filling procedure could happen because the treatment wasn't carried out well in the first place, or perhaps the filling was used when another form of treatment, such as a crown, would have been a better option.
While dental fillings are strong and durable, they do still wear out over time. You will probably need to have your filling replaced a few times throughout your life, and it isn't necessarily cause for concern. A failed dental filling should not cause you to be skeptical of dental fillings moving forward.
While dental filling material has improved over the last few decades, fillings are still softer than the enamel the surrounding tooth is composed of. This means they may not be able to survive the same forces of chewing and biting as the natural enamel.
They're No Biggie If You Find (And Treat) Them Earlier
If you find a cavity (you come in for checkups and we diagnose you with one), and you treat it (you agree to come in for a dental filling), then it's not a huge deal. Has it damaged your tooth a bit? Yes.
Dentists may fill as many cavities as the patient is comfortable with having filled. With this being said, in most cases, dentists do not recommend having more than 3 cavities filled in one sitting.