The filling materials that we use at Blake Dental are high quality and hard wearing and should last for quite a long time. Some patients though, might say they have had a filling for years and wonder if it is still doing what it should. Others might notice a change in colour or feel and worry that it has somehow expired. The simple answer is that fillings do not come with a fixed replacement date, but they may not last forever either.
Some fillings can sit quite happily for decades without causing any trouble at all. Others start to cause problems much sooner. It depends on the tooth, the filling, and what that tooth has had to deal with over the years since it was placed.
Your mouth is not a gentle environment. Teeth are exposed to constant pressure, temperature changes, and acids from food and drink. Even the best dental materials have to cope with a lot. Over time, this can lead to wear, small changes at the edges of a filling, or tiny gaps forming where the filling meets the tooth.
These changes are usually slow to occur which is why many people are not aware that anything is happening. A filling might look fine on the surface but begin to let bacteria creep beneath it. This is one of the more common reasons old fillings end up needing attention.
Many of our Witham patients may still have traditional amalgam fillings that were placed years ago. These were used widely and, in many cases, have lasted extremely well. They are strong and cope with chewing forces, but they do expand and contract slightly with hot and cold. Over a long period, this movement can place stress on the surrounding tooth and also allow bacteria into the tiny spaces between amalgam and the tooth.
Tooth coloured fillings behave a little differently. They are bonded to the tooth and can look more natural, but they can still wear down or stain around the edges. No filling material is immune to time.
It is worth saying that an old filling is not a problem simply because it is old. If it is well sealed, comfortable, and the tooth around it is healthy, it may not need to be touched at all.
Sometimes people feel a rough edge with their tongue or they might notice a dark line where the filling meets the tooth. Others experience sensitivity when biting or when drinking something cold. These can all be signs that a filling is starting to break down, although not always.
In many cases, there are no symptoms at all. A filling can look perfectly fine and still be hiding decay underneath. This is why regular examinations and X-rays are so important. They allow us to see what is happening below the surface, not just what is visible.
No, and this is an important point. Replacing a filling means removing some tooth structure, especially in the case of amalgam fillings, so it is not something we suggest unless there is a clear reason to do so. Sometimes the best approach is simply to keep an eye on things.
Where a filling has minor issues, it may simply be a case that we decide to ‘leave well alone’ and monitor it on an ongoing basis. In other situations, a small repair or adjustment can be enough without removing the entire filling. Replacement is usually recommended when leaving the filling in place would increase the risk of decay, cracking, or more serious problems later on.
When a filling starts to fail, the tooth underneath is no longer fully protected. Decay can spread quietly and, by the time pain appears, the damage is often more extensive. What might have been a simple filling replacement can turn into a root canal or a crown.
Cracks are another concern. Teeth with large or old fillings can sometimes fracture without much warning. Early detection gives more options and often leads to more straightforward and less invasive treatment.
Allowing your local Witham dentist to examine your teeth on a six monthly basis is key to enabling us to track any changes that might be going on with a filling. We can then make decisions based on whether it is better to continue monitoring or to address the issue there and then.
This long view helps us act at the right time, not too early and not too late. The aim is always to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. We strongly believe that decisions should be taken on the condition of the filling rather than its age alone.
We will examine your fillings and take occasional x-rays to see what is happening beneath the tooth but we also request that our Witham patients let us know if they suspect there might be a problem too.
If you feel that something might not be right with a filling, or with any other dental issue, it is always best to get things checked out by one of our dentists. You can contact us by calling Blake Dental on 01376 501688 and arranging an appointment with us.
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Katie Annabel Blake trading as Blake Dental is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Financing First Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Katie Annabel Blake is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Financing First Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
