Why did my dental filling keep dropping out?

Dr Gordon Tam • March 19, 2025

Every thing has its expiry date. A dental filling is to replace a missing surface of our tooth structure. It does not last forever, not even our real tooth. Apart from the usual eating and wear & tear, many of us may wonder how long do our dental fillings last.

Almost all of us needed a dental filling at some point of time in our lives. A dental filling is a restoration work done to our tooth that might have chipped off or decay. There are several choices of materials used to replace the partial missing tooth structure. 

Dental fillings will deteriorate over time, due to wear and tear, bad habits, or even simply they were not properly done in the first place.

Reasons for dental fillings to drop:

  1. High loading on a particular tooth
    - biting on hard stuff such as ice, nuts and etc
  2. Insufficient tooth structure to stick and retain a dental filling
  3. The filling is too large and there is insufficient tooth structure to support it
  4. The choice of dental filling materials determined the durability, strength and compatibility with the tooth
  5. There might be recurring decays underneath the dental filling
    - Compromises the bonding of the filling with the tooth
    - Further weaken the tooth structure
  6. Crooked / Misaligned teeth result in uneven distribution of biting force, causing tooth chip

What happens when you don’t repair the missing filling?


When a dental filling is chipped, broken, or dropped off, you need to repair it as soon as possible. The first thing you might notice when the filling has dropped off is when you realized there are sharp uneven edges on the tooth surface that were not there before. Or you may have just bit on the pieces of filling that dropped off. 


You need to contact your dentist to get an appointment to replace that. Currently, this tooth is unprotected, exposing the inner layers of the tooth. This may lead to a few possibilities.

  • Tooth sensitivity as the dentin layer is exposed
  • Food and bacteria get into the tooth, causing tooth decay
  • Sharp edges of the tooth may cut your tongue and lips
  • Existing tooth structure is weaken and potentially crack if you bite on something hard

Different types of dental fillings

Ceramic

  • Durability 10 years and more
  • Bonds well with existing tooth structure
  • Costly due to the durability


Gold 

  • Durability 10-15 years
  • Aesthetically more pleasing than silver amalgam
  • More costly than silver amalgam 
  • Not suitable for those who wanted tooth-colored fillings

Silver amalgam

  • Durability 10-15 years
  • Aesthetically not pleasing
  • Low cost 
  • Material is prone to react to temperatures, hard to accommodate to our tooth biology
  • Easy to crack and fractures over time
  • Mercury in amalgam may cause adverse effects to our body if ingested

Tooth color composite

  • Durability 5-10 years 
  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Able to match the tooth color
  • Good bond and versatility
  • Cost more than silver amalgam and GIC


Glass Ionomer (GIC)

  • Soft material not meant for long term restoration
  • Usually used on kids or as a temporary filling
  • Prone to wear and tear and fracture
  • One of the most affordable choices of dental filling material

Other metals

The choice of dental filling materials may be determined by a few factors. During the oral dental examination, our doctor will check through every tooth and advise you on any dental issues to take note of. These treatments will be clearly reflected in the customized treatment plan where treatment options, fees, and duration are stated.

  • Size of the filling
  • Location of the tooth (eg. Molar, premolar, incisor, etc)
  • Budget

The longevity of the dental fillings 


We conduct thorough tooth-by-tooth examination, taking intraoral photographs and dental X-rays, where you get to see what we see. Our doctor will advise you on any dental concerns with a customised treatment plan that reflects the treatment options, fees and duration. You get to restore your oral health with the recommended treatment options and materials.


No dental restorations last forever, not even your natural teeth. We need to exert our own due diligence to protect our own assets (teeth). Apart from the usual wear and tear, our doctor will advise our clients especially when it is noted that they have habits of teeth grinding.


In order to protect your (dental) investments, you are highly recommended to wear a nightguard. It not only protects your teeth against teeth grinding or clenching, but it also helps to make your dental fillings last longer. 


When our teeth require repair to restore to its original function, aesthetic, and health, it is important that we take good care of our teeth. With a healthy set of teeth and gums, we are able to enjoy the quality of life, and we do not need to worry much about avoiding certain food if we have weak or missing teeth. 


Human beings are social beings where we interact with people. It is worth your time and effort to make sure you get things done right and speak and smile with confidence with a nice set of teeth and gums.

Long Term Solutions:


Choice of Restorative Dental Materials

The attending doctor will recommend the ideal choice of materials based on the condition and position of the tooth for restoration. At times where the size of the restoration is too large for composite materials, the doctor may even suggest materials like ceramic or zirconia. These materials are durable and less prone to frequent chips and replacements.

Wear a Protective Oral Appliance 

The protective oral appliance such as a night guard or an occlusal splint helps to protect the teeth from the damages resulting from teeth grinding.


Address the Teeth Misalignment Issue


Teeth misalignment not only affects us aesthetically. It also affects our efficiency in chewing and eating, stress distribution among our teeth and more effective in brushing and maintaining our teeth. With better teeth alignment, we smile more confidently, and our teeth is able to evenly distribute the loading when chewing and eating.

Contact us now to find out how we can help you restore, maintain, and improve your oral concerns!


For more information and consultation, please contact Smile Design Dental Practice at +65 6463 8588.


To serve you better, we are available by  Appointment Only. 

Please contact us to schedule for an appointment.

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