There is a finite amount of time that a filling can remain in place. They eventually suffer from wear and tear to the point where replacement is necessary. When a filling is worn down or falls out, the protection it provides against dental decay and injury is no longer in place.
It leaves the tooth more vulnerable to injury and decay. In its absence, bacteria and decay have an easier time penetrating the tooth and causing harm. You can avoid dealing with more significant dental problems in the future if you are aware of the signs indicating when a filling needs to be replaced.
Lifespan of Dental Fillings
Dental fillings in Orlando are designed to last for a long time, but they will need to be replaced at some point. Because of the pressure exerted on them by food and drink, and most significantly by clenching and grinding the teeth, dental fillings eventually need to be replaced.
Fillings can deteriorate, wear out, chip, crack, or even fall out over time. In addition, the failure of a filling leaves a space in the tooth through which food particles and bacteria may be able to enter. Cavities have the potential to form either beneath the filling or in its place as a result of this.
If this decay isn’t treated, it can extend to the dental pulp (which houses the tooth’s nerve and blood supply) and cause terrible pain, a root canal, and possibly even tooth loss. If this happens, the tooth will need to be extracted.
Signs Indicating the Need for Replacement
A dentist accepting new patients can detect filling concerns early. Here are several indicators you may need a new filling between dental visits if you’re worried. Tooth sensitivity often indicates filling replacement.
Damaged or missing fillings make teeth sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet meals. Your teeth may also be sensitive to a finger, toothbrush, or other pressure. The filling or pulp may be damaged if you feel pressure in a tooth during biting or chewing.
Sharp, throbbing tooth pain is bad. This soreness may briefly occur while eating or drinking. Even without chewing, it may happen. The cold winter air may make replacing a filling more painful. Tooth discomfort and sensitivity often result from pulp inflammation.
If you have tooth pain, consult a dentist near you immediately for comfort and dental health. Untreated dental pulp infections can lead to necrosis or a dead tooth. Fillings or tooth damage can cause pain and be noticeable.
Check your teeth for decay, discoloration, chips, cracks, missing fillings, holes, and stains. Dental floss that breaks or rips near a filling may suggest a damaged tooth and require a new filling.
Reasons for Dental Filling Replacement
Restorative dentistry—replacing outdated dental fillings—is required for many reasons. Common filling replacement causes include:
- Frequent biting and chewing has worn down the filling.
- It’s cracked or chipped.
- The gap between deteriorating fillings and teeth allows germs and food particles to thrive. New deterioration and sensitivity may result.
- A tooth restored with a certain filling material may lose its beauty. Some patients may desire to modify it for aesthetics.
- Rarely, people with allergies or sensitivities to dental fillings must have them changed.
- Dental work or tooth grinding might modify a person’s bite, requiring filling replacement. Fill cavities quickly since older fillings may no longer protect the tooth.
Visit Our Clinic Today and Dispel Your Doubts
To avoid oral pain, tooth decay, infection, and the need for costly dental procedures in the future like root canal therapy or tooth extraction, visit a dentist right away if your filling has become damaged or lost.
Here at CG Dentist Orlando, our team of dentists in Orlando can perform a range of services, from regular check-ups to restorative treatments, in order to preserve your smile and its functionality. To arrange a time to come in, give us a call today; we look forward to collaborating with you soon!
FAQs:
1. Can Dental Fillings Fall Out?
Yes, they can. Dental fillings fall out due to various factors, including wear and tear, decay, poor bonding, biting forces, the age of the fillings, and inferior material choice.
2. Can Dental Fillings Cause Bad Breath?
Due to dental fillings-related conditions like decay, infection, food trapping, gum issues, dry mouth, and irregular oral hygiene, fillings cause bad breath.
3. Are There Alternatives to Dental Fillings?
Yes. Dental crowns, inlays/onlays, and bonding can replace dental fillings near you, depending on tooth damage, patient preferences, and dentist recommendations.
4. Are Dental Fillings Painful to Replace?
With local anesthesia, dentists can replace fillings without pain. Post-op soreness or sensitivity is usually transient.
