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How Long Does an Amalgam (Silver Colored) Filling Last?
An Amalgam Filling
Earlier this week, I was working with a patient who was having two gold crowns placed over some molars that had previously been restored with amalgam fillings. He said he had received the amalgam fillings about 30 years ago and they had recently broken, resulting in the need for the crowns. He asked if 30 years was a reasonable amount of time to expect the amalgam fillings to last. To be honest, it's wonderful if an amalgam filling can last that long!
The Average Amalgam Filling Lasts About 12 Years
There have been quite a few studies that have tried to determine how long the "average" amalgam filling will last. One such study involved a single dentist in Belgium. The study followed 722 amalgam fillings that this dentist had placed between 1982 and 1999. This study found that this dentist's amalgam fillings had a mean lifetime of 12.8 years. The three most frequent reasons for failure of this dentist's fillings were the amalgam filling itself breaking, tooth decay developing under the filling, and the filled tooth weakening and breaking.
Another study involved 659 dentists in Finland. Finland is one of the many European countries that are phasing out amalgam restorations to focus on the more aesthetically-pleasing tooth-colored fillings. This study concluded that the silver-colored amalgam fillings lasted just under 12 years. Interestingly enough, both tooth-colored fillings included in this study, composite and glass-ionomer lasted less than five years, and less than four years, respectively.
In 2002, a group of researchers scoured 16 electronic databases, and 36 dental journals to find all of the studies performed on the longevity of different types of restorations. They found 62 studies dealing with the lifetime of amalgam restorations. You can find a summary of their findings here. From these studies, they were able to compile lots of data. From this data, I put together the graph below which shows the estimate of the longevity of amalgam fillings.
A graph showing the percentage of amalgam restorations still in existence for a given number of years after they were placed.
As you can see in the above graph, roughly 80% of amalgam fillings are still in existence 10 years after they have been placed.
What is the Longest an Amalgam Filling Has Ever Lasted?
The professor that taught our amalgam class in dental school last year claimed to have seen amalgam filings that have lasted well over 50 years. He believes that if amalgam fillings are well-placed they can last a lifetime. Perhaps there are amalgam fillings that have lasted even longer.
Conclusion
If your amalgam filling lasts over 15 years, you should feel pretty good about it. Amalgam fillings seem to last longer than alternative materials because they consist of a metal alloy, which by nature is bacteriostatic. This means that it is very hard for the bacteria in your mouth to live around an amalgam filling because the metal makes them sick. This makes it harder for another cavity to develop under the amalgam filling, which helps the filling last longer.
As a general rule, all fillings will last longer if they are taken care of with regular brushing and flossing.
Do you have any good stories or experiences dealing with amalgam restorations? Please leave them in the comments!
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Hi, I'm Tom. I'm currently a 4th year dental student in the USA. I started this blog to help people take better care of their teeth. You can 
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I do agree with the Tom, My mom has an Amalgam filling from 14 years, around 13 years it works fine but after that filling has been broken. The doctor it is normally work till 12-14 years some of the exceptions are there.
Thanks for the comment, Donna!
That's good it lasted that long. 12-14 years is just an average. I am currently reading a book by a dentist where he states that he has seen some good amalgam fillings last longer than 50 years.
Of course, how long the amalgam fillings last depends on a variety of factors such as whether all of the decay was removed, how well the filling "fits" inside the tooth, how big the filling is, and if it gets a lot of pressure placed on it during biting.
My Amalgam filling has lasted me 16 years now, and its still in excellent shape! (occlusal restoration on my 16, or, upper right, first molar). Hoping it'll rival that 30 year you've seen!
Hi Dennis - I hope it lasts a long time for you, too! I have an older filling in one of my back teeth that is filled with a white filling. I think I'll be getting an amalgam filling when I finally get it replaced.
I've had my amalgam filling since I was 16 years old, I'm now 33 years old so for it to last 17 years us pretty good going!
Hi Jean - Sounds like you're doing a great job taking care of it! Hopefully you'll be able to get at least another 17 years out of that filling. Thanks for your comment!
I got an amalgam filling on 2 of my molars when I was 8, went to the dentist yesterday and he kept going on and on about what a great job whoever put them in did.... He even brought in someone else to see them and look at the xray. I am 33 now so I guess he was right... Funny thing is I asked my older sister about the dentist today and she said he was the one who we went to as kids! So it was HE who put them in! HA HA HA I've thought about calling him back today to tell him....
Thanks for your comment, Lenita - you had me laughing! I'm not sure if he'd be flattered or embarrassed if you let him know it was really him
I have noticed that when I look at fillings that I've done in the past on patients when they come back for a checkup, the fillings seem to look a lot better than they did when I looked at them with a more critical eye when I was placing them. Thanks for sharing that!
I just had two amalgam fillings today! I wonder how long they will last this time. The last time i had an amalgam filling was back in 1997 after a root canal treatment. My question is: does the longevity of the filling last longer after a rc treatment or normal cavity filling? thanks for sharing this topic
Hi Sadiq - Generally, the larger the filling is, the shorter it will last. When you have a root canal treatment done, a lot of tooth structure is usually removed, resulting in a larger filling. My guess is that fillings in teeth with root canal treatment would not last as long as a normal cavity filling.
I hope that helps - if you have any other questions let me know. Thanks for your comment, Sadiq!
Hi
I am a dentist in Scotland and have 3 occlusal amalgam restorations in UL6, LL7 and LR6. They were placed when I was around 13 years old and I will be 36 this summer. At last examination, they were doing well after 23 years!!
Posterior composites certainly look much much better, but if I needed replacements of roughly similar size, I'd have to hear a good argument not to replace in amalgam!!
Hi Fiona - Amalgam is very durable. We had our "Restorative Dentistry Written Exam" that we have each semester today. As I was studying for it, I came across a quote by Dr. Gordon Christensen talking about how composites can last as long as amalgams in posterior class II restorations (fillings in the back teeth that cover the biting surface and the surface against the adjacent tooth, for those who are curious). Here is his full article.
I still have to say that I think amalgam is the better restoration for posterior teeth. Thanks for your comment!
Hi Tom
Thanks for the link to that article. Very interesting reading!
I attended a lecture recently by Prof Trevor Burke (one of the UK's finest) who pretty much agreed.
Small class II's can look amazing and can last as long as amalgam when placed properly under the correct conditions.
He has written lots of papers on posterior composite placement and which materials he finds work best in different situations - some of his ideas on "layering" and placement of composite are really useful.
Fi
I've had both silver and white fillings in my back teeth. In my opinion the silver ones are miles better.
White ones, all the 6 I've had has been replaced so many time I can't count. Has usually lasted a 2-5 years.
Silver fillings, none of the 6 old silver fillings I've had has failed. They are around 15 years old. I've now gotten two of the white fillings replaced with silver when they failed. They seem to be holding up good as well.
From now on, only silver fillings for my 16 back teeth.
Hi Janine - A majority of people experience the exact same thing in their mouths - that silver fillings are the ones that last longer than the white fillings.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and let everyone know what's working for you - have a great day!
I had to have 6 fillings when I was 10 years old. I have not had any cavities since. I guess getting those fillings was a great way to encourage good oral hygiene! I am now 40 and have only ever had to have one replaced when it cracked (with no decay in evidence). So, I have 5 amalgam fillings that are 30 years old and are in good shape as of my last check up!
Hi Serena - Thanks for leaving a comment - It's always interesting to see how long people's fillings are lasting for them. It sounds like you're doing a great job with your oral hygiene. Keep up the good work and I'm sure the fillings will last much longer!
I am 56 and have tons of amalgam fillings in my mouth. My molars are all filled. I have had no problems with these fillings. I am certain the fillings are nearly 50 years old.
Hi Annachestnut - Thanks for sharing - I don't think there are any composite fillings out there that have lasted over 50 years!
My dentist is now saying all of my fillings need to be replaced -- even though they were all replaced within the past 4-5 years (by him). He stated fillings should only last 2 years. . . 3 years on the outside and that I've been luck to have them last the number of years they have. I replaced them originally because they were all 15+ years old and he said they needed to be replaced. . . but replacing them every 2 years seems extreme. I told him on that theory I would end up with a mouth full of crowns within 10 years, he replied, "Very likely." Hum. . . . I should also mention I have EXCELLENT insurance.. . . hum. . .
Hi Jann - As I'm sure you know, if the fillings were done right, and you are taking care of them well, then they should last much longer than 2-3 years! It appears that your dentist may be taking advantage of your good insurance. To be sure, you may want to get a second opinion and see if the fillings really need to be replaced. Thanks for your comment, Jann!
i read more than a couple of articles that amalgam fillings are toxic, and that amalgam fillings releases mercury toxins anytime the filling encounters friction. true?
Hi Curious - Amalgam fillings contain mercury, which can be toxic when enough is ingested. From what I've read, there is such a small amount of mercury released from amalgam fillings, that there isn't anything to worry about.
I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for your comment!
Hi Tom,
Great blog! Was searching the net about why crowns fall out (mine just did, after 1 year - but all sorted, no issues).
I had an amalgam filling on my lower left molar (furthest back) when I was 6. I have just turned 40
It has been a right little soldier, sitting there at the back without causing any problems. I often thought about changing it with a white filling - but it seems mad to do it only for vanity.
Hi Mette - Thanks! It sounds like the filling is working great. Any time a dentist drills in a tooth, there is a chance that it could traumatize the nerve enough to do some damage, so I would say that if it ain't broke, there's no need to fix it! Hopefully it will serve you for many years to come.
Thanks for your comment, Mette!
Hello, I have an 6 year old girl who needs two cavities filled. They are in the back of her mouth and are baby teeth. Dentist is recommending the amalgam filling but does offer the white resin. Hubby is concerned with the mercury and that the FDA advises against it. Also read that amalgam is bad for the female reproductive system. Which is better for a child and least time consuming to put in? Less time in the chair is always good. Is laughing gas a problem for kids and should it hurt getting filled?
Hi Concerned Mom - I've heard some news about the FDA and amalgam recently, but I only turned up with these guidelines issued in 2009 that classify it as moderate risk.
The amalgam will definitely be less time consuming and easier for a child since it isn't necessary that the tooth remain absolutely dry throughout the whole procedure. The white composite fillings do require an absolutely dry tooth - you can think of it as being glued to the tooth, while amalgam simply sits in the tooth. Laughing gas usually isn't a problem, and can help children get calm before the injection. As long as the injection works out well, your daughter shouldn't feel any pain from the procedure, only slight pinching from the injection.
I haven't heard of reproductive problems with the amalgam fillings, although the white fillings do contain estrogen-like compounds and now their safety is being questioned by some. Here's a statement from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry on that subject.
If it were my daughter, I could probably go either way on it. If it seems like she's cooperating well, I might go with the white filling. If she doesn't (and my duaghter probably wouldn't be the most cooperative for a dental procedure!), then the silver filling would probably be best. Either way, she will probably lose the teeth in a few years, so the goal is to keep the tooth healthy until then.
I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for your comment!
I have 3 amalgam fillings on on lower back teeth. I don't remember when I got them. It could have been 30 years ago. I have had no problems with them, but my dentist has recommended for 2 years to replace 2 of them because they could be decaying underneath. For the past week the nerve in my lower jaw on the side of the other filling that he said was fine has felt funny. The tooth itself feels fine. Could that filling be leaking?
Hi Pat - It could be that the filling is leaking as well. If you have a cavity under one filling, there's a good chance that there could be cavities under other fillings. I would have your dentist take a look at it and see what's going on. Also, it's best to take care of the decayed ones now before they become a painful problem!
I hope that helps, Pat. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for your comment!
I have amalgam fillings I've had over 30 years. Just got a new Dentist and he recommended replacing them all because they are "leaking". I can see the teeth are cracked... but there's no way to know how long they have been "cracked".. My previous dentist saw them every year for the last ten years...and said nothing about replacing them. I haven't had any discomfort in the last ten years.
Is it better to let sleeping dogs lie? Or get them all replaced? I am 54.
(In case you are wondering, my wife did not care as much for my previous dentist...so we switched.)
Hi Ivan - Depending on how many teeth will have fillings replaced, this can be quite an undertaking. Any time that the dentist drills into a tooth, there is a chance that it can cause irreversible damage to the nerve.
I do wonder why your previous dentist never found any decay, and now your current dentist says that all of the fillings are leaking. Something doesn't quite add up to me, since tooth decay under old fillings would probably progress very slowly and if it really is there, then both dentists would have found it. If it were me, I would want to get another opinion to make sure that the fillings are leaking. Then if they are, I would get them replaced.
Amalgam fillings are usually the more durable fillings in the back teeth, so you could have the old amalgams replaced with new amalgam or opt for the more cosmetically-pleasing white fillings.
I hope that helps, Ivan. Thanks for your comment! Let me know if you have any other questions.
I had amalgam fillings set 13 years ago. Saw a new dentist today, and he says I have two that need a re-do. The fillings are not shiny, and he says that the dark coloration indicates that they should come out.
When I look at the fillings, part is still silver, and parts of them are colored a darker, perhaps not quite black color. Is this oxidation, or do fillings have two tones of colors (one silver and one darker)? Does it indicate I should have the filling replaced?
Note: The x-rays didn't show anything, and the dentist says there are things you can see visually that won't show in x-ray.
Thanks!
Hi Jeffrey - The edges of amalgam do start oxidizing after a while. The filling is one color when it was originally put in. Your dentist may have noticed that there is a gap between the tooth and the filling, in which case it is a good idea to replace the filling.
I hope that helps - Thanks for your comment, Jeffrey. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hello, I've had tons of silver fillings. Most work very well. I don't know how long I've had them. Not too long since I'm only 16. I think I've only had problems with one. I have to have some fillings in my front teeth though, and I was worried about how long those might last.
Hi Ambrosia - Sometimes white fillings can end up lasting a long time on the front teeth. A lot of it depends on how big the filling is and whether or not you hit the filling every time you bite together.
Hi Tom! I got 6 amalgam fillings 46 years ago without any problems until it was seen in the x-ray that the top molar was cracked and loose ( I was gargling with olive oil almost everyday for a better health). The first dentist that I went to see recommended onlay while the second one recommended crown porcelain ceramic. I got 2 friends who had onlays and when they were chewing on gums they came off. Is it necessary to do these procedures when the simplest and the cheapest thing to do is to replace the filling with amalgam?
Well, All I can say is I have amalgams that were placed in my mouth in the mid to late 70's......well more than 12 years, however my dentist is advising I have them replaced with porcelain. He is not in a rush, but apparently my metal fillings have seen the last few months of their existence.
I've had amalgams for a long time and my dentist would like to replace 2. One is just old and the other tooth is cracked. They are the back 2 molars and I can't decide whether to get amalgam or white. My old amalgam could be from 1965. Would it have less mercury than a new one?
I've had mine for around 25 years+ Hope I haven't jinxed it now!
I am really concerned about some of the studies that linked amalgam fillings to skin problems, thyroid problems, and even cancers. Wikipedia has a great article on amalgam fillings. It was interesting to learn that 3 countries banned metal fillings due to concerns of mercury impact...
Hi, when Amalgam fillings wear off do you feel pain? Since yesterday I have this dull pain on my tooth. I can't figure out why. Could be my amalgam filling is wearing off?
Just trying to read more before going to the dentist.
Hi, I have 8 posterior teeth with amalgam silver filling. I have had them on since I was 12, and I am now 20. I am a bit concerned about the mercury myth. Are amalgam filled teeth bad for you in the long run?
I have 2 very large amalgam fillings on my molars (1 upper and 1 lower), put in place in 1990. I should consider myself fortunate they are holding strong after 22 years.
I've had a few amalgam fillings done back when I 12 years old. I'm 30 now, and they still look good and haven't given me any trouble. I just had a checkup and xrays yesterday and my dentist said they look great!
I don't trust dentists. Period. I've had three different dentists recommend three completely different things within the same year's time. One dentist said my old amalgam fillings are absolutely fine, the other said they were leaking, and yet another said they were fine. I decided to have two replaced with composite (one's behind my front tooth) and a back molar. I wish I would have gone the amalgam route again. All three dentists did push composite as a replacement material whenever given the opportunity, but I demanded one be amalgam and the dentist honestly didn't want to do it!!! I had to beg him to, is that not bizarre!?! They all keep saying that they'll leak and crack/discolor your teeth, but honestly I have too much experience with the longevity of the silver amalgam, and have not yet had a single one crack before it's time.
Now, just recently one of the old silvers has cracked (it's had a good, long life) and I'm wondering how long is safe to wait before having it redone? The majority of the filling is still there, but I know I need to wait at least another week to be able to take time off of work for my appointment. Is it safe to wait two weeks?
Hi Rose - I'm sorry you've had some bad experiences. As for the cracked filling, many dentists will schedule fillings a few months out, so you're probably fine to wait another week, but it's always best to call the dentist you plan on visiting to make sure.
I had a filling fall out a week ago. It's in the top back part of my mouth. I'm going on vaction in 2 1/2 weeks . Can I wait or should I get it replaced before I leave? Also if I get a dental filling material how long will that lasts? Thanks
I'm surprised to find out that amalgam fillings last on average only 12.5 years.
I have several amalgam fillings that were done in the early 70s when I was a college student. They're close to 40 years old now and no one has ever suggested that they need to be replaced. In fact, several dentists have admired their quality (they've also commented about the high quality of the small gold filling I have).
All of my fillings were done by dental students at the University of Iowa-and the gold filling was a board exam tooth.
Today was the first time I've experienced any difficulty with my teeth in approximately 4 decades. A piece on the buccal side of one of my premolars broke off while I was eating, leaving the filling and lingual surface of the tooth intact. I've already talked to my dentist (I'm traveling on business and halfway across the country from home) and have an appointment scheduled for Monday morning to repair the tooth (probably a crown).
I had 8 fillings when I was 10. 4 on the bottom and 4 on the top. I haven't had a cavity since. Until today! I went to the dentist because my tooth was sore and the dentist took out the filling. Supposedly it was compromised and a new cavity under neath. I wish I had read this before I went today - because he asked me if I wanted the amalgam filling or composite. I choose composite. The fillings I had when I was 10 are now 33 years old.
Well - if I have to replace more - I will choose the amalgam ones going forward.
ive just returned from my dentist who says that silver fillings only last 5yrs and that mine need to be replaced again are they just trying to make money out of me