Signs Your Filling May Need to Be Replaced

What your dentists in Port Orchard want you to knowdental fillings

Thanks to modern materials and techniques, today’s dental fillings can last many years. That’s not true of older fillings. Not too many years ago, metal fillings were often large and bulky. The combination of metals used wasn’t always long-lasting. Older fillings are often prone to crumbling and breakage. So how do you know you need your fillings replaced? Your dentists at Family Dental Associates in Port Orchard, WA, want to share the facts about dental fillings.

Your dental filling can fail from decay around the borders of the filling, a condition known as recurrent decay. Fillings can also break if you grind or clench your teeth, or if you’ve experienced dental trauma.

There are some definite signs you need your filling replaced. You need to pay attention to:

  • If you have pain from a tooth, especially to hot, cold or sweets
  • A filling that is chipped, broken or cracked
  • If there is a hole in your filling or tooth
  • If you have an open margin around the filling of a tooth
  • If you think you may have decay around the filling of a tooth

There are some ways you can protect your fillings so they last as long as possible. You need to think about:

  • Having a custom nightguard made if you grind your teeth while you sleep
  • Having a custom mouthguard made if you play contact sports
  • Not chewing on hard things like pencils and not biting your nails
  • Not chewing on ice cubes

If you do have a filling that needs a replacement, don’t worry. Your dentists in Port Orchard offer a full range of state-of-the-art materials for you to choose from including:

  • Conventional metal (amalgam) which is the go-to material in many cases because of its excellent strength and longevity
  • Composite which can be color-matched to your existing teeth; this filling gives you a virtually invisible, natural-looking addition to your smile.
  • Glass ionomer which is typically placed along the gumline; this filling can also be matched to the color of your teeth.
  • Gold or porcelain fillings which are created in a dental laboratory; these fillings will require 2 to 3 appointments.

If you don’t have much tooth structure remaining, your dentists may suggest a dental crown to protect your tooth from further breakage. Dental crowns can be made of gold, porcelain-fused-to-gold, or pure porcelain depending on your needs and the location in your mouth.

If you need your filling replaced, you owe it to yourself to investigate all the available options and materials with an expert. Call your dentists at Family Dental Associates in Port Orchard, WA, today. Find out more about replacing your damaged filling with a strong, beautiful, modern restorative treatment!

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