Fillings are meant to repair small to medium-sized tooth decay to restore the full function of the tooth for a long period of time. At the same time, fillings rarely last forever. Large and old fillings are prone to failure simply due to the sheer surface area and constant pressure from oral bacteria.
While there are some fillings that fail without any overt signs, a fair number of fillings that are soon to go bad will give you a warning sign or two.
Some early symptoms of a filling going bad include sensitivity issues, pain or a change in color or texture. Shallow fillings can sometimes start to turn the surrounding tooth enamel gray. This is a sign that bacteria may have invaded the seam between the filling and the enamel, creating a new pocket of tooth decay.
If you notice a problem with an older filling, you should call your dentist, Dr. Thinh Ho, to have the tooth examined. Small fillings can sometimes be replaced by simply removing a small amount of enamel and cementing a new filling in place.
If you are missing a large filling, or if the decay has compromised too much enamel to secure a new filling, then Dr. Thinh Ho might recommend that the tooth be fitted for a crown.
If you suspect that one of your fillings in Lacey, Washington, is about to go bad, you should call Olympia Dental Group at 360-943-4777 to schedule an appointment.
