Do Your Old Silver Amalgam Fillings Need Replacement?
Having old fillings that have stood the test of time may give you a sense of pride, but did you know that your old silver amalgam fillings could be cracked or chipped causing other cavities to form in the same tooth?
According to Dr. Mike Morris from Chittenden Dental, this happens because old silver amalgam fillings and old resin fillings allow bacteria to seep in creating cavities under your dental fillings.
Why You Should Replace Old Fillings
- Soreness or pain in the tooth or underneath the filling
- A space between the tooth and filling
- Lack of support
- Mercury leakage, if you are concerned
- Aesthetics
- Cracks
- Chips
According to the American Dental Association, regular dental checkups are the only way to detect tooth decay under or around an existing filling and old silver amalgam fillings. Your Burlington Dentist uses an intra oral camera because normal x-rays are not able to detect decay under dental fillings.
Old Silver Amalgam Fillings Options
Dr. Morris explains that there are some options to consider for old silver amalgam fillings
- Composite or Porcelain Fillings
- Gold Fillings
- Glass Ionomers
- CEREC®
How Long Do Fillings Last?
According to your Burlington family dentist, gold fillings will give you between 15 and 30 years of healthy use while silver fillings are good for 10 to 15 years. Composite fillings may need to be replaced every seven years while porcelain fillings can last a decade or more. CEREC® can last about 14 or 15 years before replacement is necessary.
Call Your Dentist in Burlington If You Notice:
- Tooth pain
- Gum tenderness
- Soreness or pain in surrounding teeth or under the filling
- Pain when you clench your teeth
- Pain in the tooth when brushing, flossing, and eating
If you have not had your fillings examined in some time, call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Mike Morris. Your family dentist in Burlington can detect any abnormalities in the filling before recommending replacement options.
Call and schedule an appointment with Chittenden Dental today.
