If it doesn’t hurt, don’t fix it… right? Wrong! Even if you aren’t experiencing any pains or problems, your fillings and crowns will eventually need to be replaced. When you consider the amount of work your teeth do every day, it’s not surprising that fillings will eventually wear out and sometimes need to be replaced. Just like natural teeth, your restorations need regular care to prevent dental problems that can lead to expensive treatments or tooth loss.
Outdated fillings may start to leak around the edges from regular wear and tear. This could allow harmful bacteria to get into the tooth or crown where it can cause decay. This type of decay often goes undetected until it has reached the nerve of the tooth.
Cracks can also be a problem. The average human bites with several hundred pounds of pressure per square inch. That can make tiny cracks in the restored tooth. If cracks aren’t repaired in time, they can lead to fractures that may extend below the gum line or into the nerve. That might mean you’ll need a new crown. We may recommend an onlay or crown before this happens to prevent unnecessary damage.
Unchecked, many of these dental dangers can open the door to gum disease or loss of your teeth. If you have any questions about your fillings, please feel free to contact our office. It’s important that you understand what to expect from your fillings and crowns and what kind of care they need.
(Work done at Aesthetic Dentistry of Lorton by Dr. Ryan Reeves)
