Did you know that fillings are a quick and effective way to restore teeth after decay removal? Keep reading to learn more about dental fillings!
What Are Fillings?
Fillings are a common dental treatment used to repair a decayed tooth. Their purpose is to restore the tooth’s appearance, functionality, and structure. There are a variety of materials used to create fillings, including:
- Composite resin
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal
- Silver amalgam
When Do Fillings Need to Be Replaced?
Due to natural wear and tear and other various factors, fillings may need to be replaced from time to time. There are some signs to look out for to see if your filling needs to be redone, such as:
- Appearance: If a patient has a silver filling and wants to opt for a more discreet, composite resin material, silver fillings can be removed and replaced with a tooth-colored alternative.
- Broken Filling: Dental trauma or an injury can result in a chip or fracture to your filling. If a filling is compromised, it is no longer effective and needs to be replaced.
- Natural Wear & Tear: We use our teeth multiple times throughout the day. Over time, this can cause fillings to become worn down, loosen, cause decay, or negatively impact your bite.
- Old Filling: Each different type of filling material has a different lifespan. Make sure you’re checking in with your dentist, to see if it’s time to swap out your old filling for a fresh new one to keep cavities at bay.
- Recurring Decay: Fillings are designed to protect the hole left behind from decay. When a filling isn’t functioning properly, bacteria and food particles can get underneath the filling and cause new cavities to arise. If an infection occurs under your filling, it’s time for a new one.
Schedule an Appointment at Hooks Family Dentistry
Routine dental appointments are important for evaluating and examining the condition of existing fillings. If you think you may be overdue for a new filling, our Hooks Family Dentistry team can help! We provide a full suite of restorative dental services, including fillings, to ensure our patients can achieve and maintain a lifetime of great oral health. Please contact us to schedule your appointment!
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