Two Reasons to Replace that Lost Filling NOW!

Your teeth were designed to last a lifetime and under optimal circumstances throughout your life, they could. Unfortunately, most people have problems with at least one tooth sometime over the years and will need a filling. Your fillings have a shorter lifespan. On average, an amalgam filling, often called a silver filling, will last about 15 years. Light cured composite fillings last about 10 years. When a filling falls out, getting it replaced as soon as possible is important for a variety of reasons.

A Breeding Ground for Decay

Sometimes a filling will fall out because the tooth is decaying underneath it. The filling becomes loose as the decay expands and finally falls out. Left unchecked, when the decay reaches the pulp or nerve center, the tooth will become infected. That will result in either root canal therapy if the tooth can be saved or extraction if it is not salvageable.

The stress caused by chewing, clenching and grinding your teeth can cause tiny cracks in the enamel around a silver filling. This can loosen the filling, and all it takes is chewing a sticky food, such as a caramel, to pull the filling out of the tooth. Your tooth may not be sensitive, although the space left will become annoying to your tongue. Eventually though, food debris and bacteria will build up and cause decay to form.

Aesthetic Considerations

Your smile is an important part of your appearance. To lose a filling in an anterior tooth can make your smile look less appealing. The longer you wait to get the filling replaced, the more likely decay will develop in the cavity. This will turn the area an unsightly brown.

Replace Your Lost Filling Right Away

A lost filling should be replaced as soon as possible whether it is noticeable or not. The dentin layer of the tooth may be exposed with the missing filling. Decay can spread faster through dentin and it can form within days of losing a filling.

Sacramento Emergency Dentistry is here for your convenience to address all your dental emergencies. You do not have to wait months, weeks or even days to have your lost filling replaced. Call us today to schedule your emergency dental appointment.