Why or when might a dental filling require replacement?
There are three basic causes for dental fillings to require replacement.
- Dental fillings may wear away, chip, or crack with regular use because of the constant pressure from chewing, grinding, or clenching. Your dentist can spot problems in your restorations at a routine check-up, even though you might not be able to detect that your filling is deteriorating.
- If a filling fails and decay sets in, food particles and bacteria that cause decay may be able to penetrate the filling due to a compromised seal between the filling and the tooth enamel. Thereafter, there’s a chance the tooth will experience more decay. Untreated decay can advance and infect the dental pulp, potentially leading to an abscessed tooth.
- Large filling and/or substantial recurring decay may prevent a replacement filling from being supported by the remaining tooth structure. Your dentist might need to use a crown in certain situations to replace the filling.