Research into Filling Failure

At Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, we apply the latest medical research toward preventive care for our patients. Recently, scientists examined some of the causes of dental filling failure, and we wanted to share them with our readers in order to emphasize the importance of regular check-ups.

Fillings generally last for ten years. Some of the most common factors in people whose fillings failed early were alcohol and tobacco use. The study only examined male smokers, but it found they and people of both sexes who drank alcohol had a higher chanced of filling failure after just two years. The scientists were surprised to find that filling failure also seems to run in families and they speculated about a genetic reason for this.

There was also a lot of positive news. The study found that white resin bonding does not have a higher failure rate than the old amalgam fillings. This is good because white fillings are generally thought to be better looking and to be unaffected by changes in temperature, which some people complain about with metal fillings.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.