How long can I wait to have this filling taken care of?

At Wheaton Cosmetic Dentistry we hear this a lot. Every day a patient will ask our hygienist, or assistant, or guest services director - "How long can I go without having this work done?" I don't think I have ever asked my personal physician that question nor any of the specialists I have chosen: whether it is for my car or my insurance. If a specialist tells me I need something, I trust them enough to know I need the work done - and therefore I want it done.

In dentistry, cavities do not go away. Bacteria eat away at the tooth and continue to eat the tooth until the decay is removed. Cavities do not miraculously go away. Broken teeth do not mend themselves. Old fillings that are opening on teeth do not close up. When your dentist recommends work, if you have a trusting relationship with him/her, get it done.

My goal for my mouth, my teeth, my gums and my smile is to keep my teeth in my mouth and my smile beautiful for the rest of my life. I DO NOT want to sleep with my teeth next to my bed. So when Dr. Beri recommends work to be done, I will be the first in line to get it done. I trust him and I know he is not recommending work that does not need to be done.
How long can you wait? I don't want to test time.