How Often Should Bonding Be Replaced?

Typically it should last about 5 years. This is not a straight forward answer, there are many different factors that play into the bondings longevity such as smoking, homecare, routine cleanings, tea or coffee are a few.

Composite bonding does not need to be replaced often;  it could last for decades depending on varying factors.  Most importantly, the longevity generally depends on the doctor's training and clinical skills, as well as background knowledge and quality of the materials that are used.  What and how you eat and drink has a significant impact on durability.  For instance, a general rule of thumb is limit whatever would stain a white shirt, i.e. coffee, blueberries, raspberries, red wine, ketchup, etc that will stain the bonding over time.  It also depends how frequently you are biting into harder substance foods with your front teeth, and if you have heavy grinding habits because the composite may potentially chip away, and if you are protecting them with a nightguard.  Also keep in mind if you plan on whitening your teeth, the color of the bonding will stay the same, so you may see a shade discrepancy.  In that case you might consider changing the bonding. 

There is no exact time. It depends on oral hygiene, diet, regular check up, doctor's skills, and quality of material. When there is discoloration on the filling material, open margin, or broken filling, it is time to replace the filling.

This many times depends on your diet and smoking but in normal conditions every 3-7 years good luck

 

Kevin Coughlin DMD, MBA, MAGD      CEO Baystate Dental PC

Hi...bonding does have a time frame when it should be replaced. It can last as long as ten years depending on patient's care of their teeth and the dentist skill in bonding.  It is time to replace bonding when it starts to discolor, chip and feel rough!  Good and inexpensive way to make teeth look esthetically pleasing without veneers.

Bonding doesn't have a set lifespan. The answer is that it should be replaced when it begins to chip, discolor, stain or get yellow. Sometimes older bonding loses the surface smoothness. If you visually see something you don't like, or if you can feel the roughness with your fingernail or tongue, then it's time.

If the bonding goes on to the biting edge of your teeth, then it often wears down or you can get a major chip. If that's the issue, new bonding might fix it. In some cases you may need a veneer or crown to provide more strength.

When bonding is done well, with care and finesse, and great materials and attention to detail, then it can last a LONG time. 

There are a few key factors that lead a bonded restoration to require replacement. The tooth may fracture, decay, or the esthetics of the restoration may become less desirable with time. These factors are generally all patient specific and are influenced by genetics, patient's hygiene, medications they take, expertise of the dentist, etc. On average a bonded restoration lasts about 10 to 15 years, however, they may last much longer or drastically shorter depending on the patient's oral environment.

5-7 years is a reasonable expectation.  Longevity will vary greatly from case to case depending on diet (tea, coffee, smoking etc. will stain faster), how often polished, and quality of home care.

As often as necessary. If a bonded restoration is defective, has leaky margins, or is esthetically unpleasant to you, it should be replaced, even if you have not had it very long. The important thing to remember is that bonded fillings are very technique sensitive but when place correctly, the should not have to be replaced often and can last as long as 10 or 20 years.

It should only be replaced if there is a legitimate reason to do so either aesthetically or functionally as determined by you and/or your dentist.  Generally speaking, if the bonding was done properly, bite taken in consideration, habits such as clenching or grinding are under control, you should expect to receive a good 7-10 years or more of great results.  Some patients can go even significantly longer than that.