For me, one of the hardest discussions I have to have with patients is why a restoration (filling) needs to be replaced. Especially if it is one of my fillings and it's only a few years old. Let's review a few background concepts that I hope will shed some light on the subject.

Nothing is permanent. Every restoration, no matter what kind or who does it, is inferior to natural healthy undamaged tooth structure.
The oral environment is hard on restorations. The mouth is home to several hundred species of bacteria and fungus which like to live on and around teeth and restorations. The average American diet is also high in acid (ex. fizzy drinks) and sugar. Acid softens the material that makes your teeth hard and bacteria easily consume all the sugar and produce more acid.
All restorations will start to leak over time. Whether it's a bonded tooth colored filling or a silver amalgam, over time the margin where they meet the tooth will start to open up microscopically and allow bacteria to work underneath and start to cause more decay.

I would like nothing more than to tell my patients that every restoration I place will last the rest of their lifetime, but I just can't. Some people get lucky and have fillings last for decades, but that requires a concerted effort on the patient's part to help maintain it.

You can do your part to help your restorations last longer by cutting down on sugary foods and drinks. Brush at least twice a day with an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once per day. Making good oral hygiene a part of your daily routine cuts down on the two biggest factors contributing to tooth decay by removing the bacterial plaque and reducing sugar and acid. And of course regular checkups with your dentist to find and correct problems early.

Thanks for your time,

Chad Versluis