Preventing Tooth Decay To Maintain Healthy Teeth

Signs Your Dental Filling Needs To Be Replaced

Most people will develop at least a single cavity in their lifetimes. If you have had one or several cavities treated, then there is a good chance that composite resin was used to fill the tooth once the decay was removed. Resin is aesthetically pleasing, but it does not always last as long as silver amalgam. This often means that the resin needs to be replaced after some time. If you want to know if your filling needs to be replaced, then keep reading to learn about some signs that this does need to be done.

Dental Sensitivities

Resin fillings are constructed in a way that they are bonded to the tooth dentin. This seals the tooth and keeps the sensitive dentin from being exposed. It also protects the dentin from further decay. Over time, pressure and stress cause the resin filling to break down and degrade. The seal breaks between the filling and the tooth dentin. 

Once the seal around the filling is broken, bacteria can reach the dentin. Food and saliva can also reach the dentin and the irritants cause a great deal of sensitivity. If you start to develop a strong aching sensation around a filled tooth, then it is wise to seek out dental assistance as soon as possible. If you do not, then a cavity may develop underneath your filling. 

Crumbling Filling

Resin composite fillings will typically wear away over time. However, they will sometimes crumble suddenly when you bite down hard on your tooth. You may feel a dull reverberation in your jaw when this happens, much like you would if your natural tooth enamel were to break away.

If you do not notice your filling break down, then you may notice a sharp area of your tooth where the filling has started to wear away or you may see a divot or an indentation in your tooth. 

Sometimes you will see some discoloration where the filling was located. This happens if the dentin becomes exposed, because tooth dentin appears more yellow or beige than enamel. Also, some staining can develop around the filling once some of the composite material breaks away and leaves small holes around the filling. Debris works its way into the openings and stains the tooth.

If you feel that a filling may be starting to wear down or if you simply want to understand the condition of your fillings so you know when they may need to be replaced, make arrangements to meet with your dental professional as soon as possible. 

For more information, you will want to contact a company such as Kenneth F Wallace.


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