You may think your old dental fillings are something to brag about, but they really aren’t. Your dentist in Milton-Freewater explains that old silver amalgam fillings could be hiding something more sinister.
Chipped, cracked, and leaky fillings allow bacteria to invade the healthy part of the tooth causing more damage. While it’s true that silver amalgam fillings are made tough, they won’t last forever.
Why Old Fillings are Dangerous
If you have had your fillings for quite some time, you probably have microfractures in your teeth. This means the metal is pushing into your filling as well as the healthy enamel. Things get even worse when you have a meal.
Pressure from chewing also pushes against the metals in the filling. You can only imagine how much wear and tear fillings endure from years of abuse.
Because of the pressure, the healthy part of the tooth is at risk. If the crack reaches the pulp, and it will if left untreated, you could be in for an infection or worse yet, an abscess. It’s important to note that the larger the cavity, the larger the filling. If there is too much damage, root canal therapy and a dental crown may be the only solution.
Metal Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings have to fit the size of the cavity. If there is not enough room for the filling, your dentist has to remove healthy enamel as well as the decay in the tooth. Resin fillings eliminate the issue, as your Milton-Freewater dentist doesn’t have to remove the healthy part of the tooth.
Leaky Fillings are Dangerous
As previously mentioned, metal amalgam fillings will eventually leak. Fractured fillings mean that the mercury in the filling could be leaking out.
Fractured fillings also mean more bacteria can get into the healthy part of the tooth causing a larger cavity. Old fillings have a higher risk of fracturing than new fillings do as well.
Mercury Free Composite Tooth Colored Fillings
4 Seasons Dental only uses the most advanced products for dental fillings that don’t contain mercury. Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury.
Composite fillings are strong and durable, but best of all; the resin is matched to the rest of the tooth. This means no one will know that you have had your tooth filled except for your dentist.
Dental Crowns in Milton-Freewater
If your old silver amalgam filling has sustained additional damage, 4 Seasons Dental will probably recommend a dental crown. Crowns fit over the large cavity like a cap sealing the tooth while helping it stay together
If you haven’t had your old silver amalgam fillings checked lately, call or text and schedule an appointment with your dentist in Milton-Freewater today.
