Dental problems may not always be evident to patients. When you consider the daily stresses exerted on your teeth, it is not surprising that restorations eventually wear out and need to be replaced. There are a number of reasons to replace outdated restorations, such as:
1. 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.
2. Chips
If the cracks are not repaired in time, the tooth may break or chip. Sometimes this will necessitate a larger, more complex and costly restoration. Cracks can also form in the porcelain of a crown.
3. 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 5 to 15 years. The average composite (plastic tooth-coloured filling) may only last half as long.
4. Leakage
Fillings may start to leak around the edges due to wear and trauma. Often leakage on the biting surface of a crown goes unnoticed by patients. This allows bacteria easy 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.
5. 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 impervious to decay.
6. Esthetics
Over time, fillings begin to tarnish (if they are silver) or stain (if they are composites). While this may not cause direct harm to the tooth immediately, it does detract from the esthetics of your mouth and smile.
7. Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Many patients are unaware that 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.
At AXIS Dental Group we believe it is in your best interest to have small dental problems corrected early so they will not become larger dental problems later. Talk to us about maintaining a healthy smile for life! Book your dental appointment today.
