Dental restorations are not designed to last forever. While a good quality filling, crown, onlay or other restoration can give you many years of useful service, particularly when you look after your teeth and attend regular dental appointments at the Smile Dental Practice, eventually, though, most restorations will start to show some signs of wear.
Sometimes this happens gradually. For example, you might notice that an old filling has become rough when you run your tongue over it, or that a crown no longer feels quite the same as it used to when you bite. Other times, of course, the problem is more instantly noticeable, such as when you bite into something and suddenly feel part of a tooth or restoration break away.
There may be several reasons for this. Every time you chew, your teeth and any restorations are subjected to pressure. Over thousands of meals, that can eventually take its toll. The amount of wear will depend partly on the type and position of the restoration. A filling in a front tooth is not exposed to the same forces as a large restoration on a back molar for example.
Your bite also matters. Someone who clenches or grinds their teeth can put considerably more pressure on restorations than somebody who does not. The material itself has an influence too. Some restorations are more resistant to wear than others, while certain materials may be more likely to chip or fracture under particular circumstances.
Age alone does not necessarily mean that a restoration needs replacing. If it is still functioning well and the tooth underneath is healthy, there may be no reason to interfere with it. We would need to examine the tooth at our Croydon dental practice to assess any damage and decide the best way forwards.
This is a fairly common issue as fillings start to age, although it isn’t inevitable. If part of a filling breaks, try not to panic. A broken filling does not necessarily mean that the tooth has to be removed. Our experienced local dentist will first need to assess the restoration and the tooth underneath it.
If the remaining tooth is strong enough, it may be possible simply to replace the filling. Sometimes, however, there may not be enough healthy tooth structure left for another ordinary filling to be a practical option and a crown or alternative such as an onlay may be a better solution.
You should not leave a broken filling unattended simply because the tooth does not hurt. Once part of a restoration has broken away, the tooth is likely to be more vulnerable to further damage.
Crowns are generally strong, but they can still become damaged. A crown may chip, crack or become loose. Occasionally, the problem is not with the crown itself but with the tooth underneath it.
If a crown becomes loose, do not be tempted to simply stick it back into place with household glue. Apart from not being suitable for use in the mouth, this can make it much more difficult for the dentist to deal with the problem properly and may even lead to further damage. If this does happen, make sure that you keep the crown safe and contact our Croydon dental practice for an appointment and further advice.
Sensitivity is not necessarily a sign that a restoration has failed. Teeth can be sensitive for a number of different reasons, and a brief reaction to cold does not automatically mean there is a serious problem. If a tooth that has previously been restored starts to become sensitive, particularly if it persists or is associated with pain when biting, you should always make an appointment to have it checked.
There could be a problem with the restoration, decay around its edge or an issue with the tooth itself. Usually, the sooner the problem is identified, the easier it is to treat.
This is an important consideration when a restoration needs replacing. The restoration may have been perfectly successful for many years, but the tooth underneath can still develop decay or suffer further damage. If there is decay around the edge of an old amalgam filling, for example, the restoration may need to be removed so that the dentist can properly assess what is happening underneath. This does not necessarily mean that the tooth is beyond saving.
This will depend on the situation. A small chip or area of damage may be repairable without removing the entire restoration. This is particularly useful when a restoration is otherwise functioning well. In other cases, replacing it may be the better option, particularly if it is heavily worn, poorly sealed or has failed more than once. There is no point in automatically replacing a restoration simply because it is old. Equally, an old restoration should not be kept indefinitely if it is no longer doing its job properly. The condition of the tooth and restoration should guide the decision.
The key here, of course, is ongoing good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth using floss or interdental brushes helps to reduce the risk of decay developing around the restorations. It is also sensible to avoid using your teeth as tools. Biting pens, opening packets with your teeth or chewing particularly hard objects can put unnecessary pressure on fillings and crowns.
If you grind or clench your teeth, mention this to your dentist. In some cases, a mouthguard or other measures may help protect both your natural teeth and any restorations. Regular check ups at the Smile Dental Practice also provides the opportunity to monitor restorations and spot early signs of wear or failure.
If something breaks, whether a tooth or a restoration, try to avoid chewing on that side until you have received advice from your dentist. Keep any piece of a crown, filling or other restoration that has come away and bring it with you to your appointment. If the tooth is sharp, sensitive or uncomfortable, tell the practice when you make the appointment. Don’t ignore minor discomfort and, if there is severe pain, swelling or significant damage, you should seek prompt advice.
A restoration that has simply become worn over many years may not require urgent attention, but it is still worth arranging an appointment rather than waiting for it to become a bigger problem.
If you have restorations which are causing you problems, or perhaps you have a feeling that something isn’t quite right with them, we recommend that you contact us for an appointment as soon as possible by calling us on 020 8649 7911.
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