Hey! I'm Frankie, and welcome to my dental advice blog. I'm a foodie and I love sweet treats, but I also love my teeth! It can be hard to keep your dental health in top condition when you've got a sweet tooth, but it's not impossible. Over the years, I've learned tons of great advice from friends, family members and dentists, and I'd love to share it with you. My blog is here to give you all the tips and tricks you need to stay free of decay and other tooth problems without giving up all your favourite foods and snacks.
Needing a filling in a tooth is rather common, and it's something a general dentist can take care of in a jiffy. You develop a cavity, you go to the dentist, the cavity is filled using resin composite or metal amalgam, and that is the end of that—probably. A filling should offer a permanent solution to the structural damage affecting your tooth due to decay, but have you ever wondered if a filling can fail?
How a Filling Can Fail
The filling will have far more resistance to damage than your natural dental enamel, but it's not indestructible. A filling can become damaged by direct trauma (an accident), but it can also be worn down over time if you happen to clench your jaw or grind your teeth. This is something that puts all your teeth (fillings and all) at risk, so your dentist will need to address this issue, even if it's something as simple as wearing an overnight retainer to protect your teeth. Additionally, the tooth might have continued to decay despite the filling. But however it happened, what's the risk when a filling starts to fail?
The Seal Is Broken
The clue is in the name: it's a filling, and the cavity will be filled in its entirety. The filling material creates a seal as it adheres to your tooth, and this results in a protective barrier. When this seal is broken, bacteria can enter the cavity, causing it to increase in size, which can destabilise the filling. If the dental pulp (the tooth's interior nerve) has been breached, a serious dental infection becomes possible, and the tooth can become abscessed. You might not necessarily be aware that a filling has become compromised, and it's something that your dentist will spot during a routine inspection. You might notice the issue if the tooth rapidly develops a sensitivity to temperature extremes (in food and drink). This is cause to visit a dentist as soon as possible so that the filling can be replaced.
Replacement Is Best
Replacement is the most efficient option, since the overall procedure is so simple that repairing a damaged filling is redundant. Your dentist will certainly give the tooth a thorough inspection to check for further decay beneath the filling to make sure that the tooth can still accommodate a filling. If there has been significant damage, a filling might prove to be insufficient. In this case, a dental crown to fully cover the entire tooth will be recommended.
Remember, when a filling fails, you need to act quickly to make sure that the whole tooth doesn't fail. Visit a general dentist for more help.
Share14 October 2019
