Why Replace outdated Restorations?

There are many reasons for replacing restorations. In fact, most dental problems may not be evident to patients. When you consider the daily stresses exerted on your teeth, it is not surprising that restorations eventually wear out and sometimes need to be replaced. Some patients believe the old adage, lf it doesn't hurt, don't fix it. If left untreated, some dental problems can lead to more expensive dental procedures and eventual tooth loss.

Wear: Although there are a number of factors that affect the life of a dental restoration, the average silver filling, crown or bridge may last from five to 15 years, depending upon the size. The average composite (plastic tooth colored filling) may only last half as long. Forces constantly exerted on the fillings by chewing and grinding cause them to wear down. In some cases the porcelain or gold incrowns actually wears through from constant grinding by the opposing teeth!

Leakage: Fillings may start to leak around their edges due to wear and trauma. Often leakage on the biting surface of a crown goes unnoticed by patients. This allows bacteria access to the deeper areas of the tooth. Once the bacteria are inside the tooth or crown, they cannot be removed, and decay may begin rapidly again. Worst of all, this damage is often unseen and there may be no symptoms until the decay has reached the nerve (pulp) of the tooth.

Recurring decay: Increased exposure to the elements that caused the original cavity make it possible to get another cavity in the same tooth near the original filling. Even the best filling is not as smooth and impervious to decay as healthy tooth structure. If a tooth is not kept clean, decay can start near the edge of the filling or in another site on the tooth. Even if a tooth has a crown covering it decay can still start at the edges where it rests on the tooth if it is not kept clean. As mentioned before, if decay is left untreated, it can eventually invade the nerve of the tooth, causing an abscess - which leads to root canal or extraction.

Cracks: A great deal of force is placed on your teeth every day. The average human bites with several hundred pounds of pressure per square inch. This biting pressure can result in tiny cracks in the tooth. Chewing on very hard substances, such as ice or nuts, can crack a tooth or filling. Often your dentist can tell when these cracks have undermined another portion of the tooth or gone too deep.

Chips: If the cracks are not repaired in time, the tooth may break or chip. Sometimes this will necessitate a larger, more costly restoration. Often, these teeth will require crowns. Cracks can also form in the porcelain of a crown. Thus, chipped porcelain may eventually break off, as well. Your dentist may feel it is better to schedule a replacement crown before this happens.

Esthetics: Over time, fillings begin to tarnish (if they are silver or stain (if they are composites). While this may not cause any direct harm to the tooth immediately, it does detract from the esthetics of the mouth. Thus, some patients may wish to replace their outdated silver fillings with more esthetic ones made of toothcolored composite or porcelain.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Most teeth are lost due to gum disease-not decay. If left untreated, periodontal disease progresses, and the gum tissues move lower on the root. Eventually, bone is lost and teeth become loose. In such cases of periodontal involvement, your dentist may find it necessary to remove an old crown next to a loose or missing tooth and replace it with a new bridge. For more information about periodontal disease, click here

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