If you had a dental filling placed to repair a cavity when you were younger, it’s likely that you have a dark amalgam spot somewhere in your mouth. Although these traditional fillings have been known to break down and leak over time, many patients do not have problems with them. For this reason, Waco family and restorative dentist Dr. Corbet Locke does not usually recommend replacing amalgam fillings with composite resin fillings unless the amalgam filling is failing. Today, Dr. Locke wants to explain what can happen when a traditional dental filling fails.
Dealing with a Lost Dental Filling in Waco
If you notice that a dental filling has come loose or fallen out completely, call our Waco dentist office immediately at (254) 776-4888. The following can occur if a filling is loose or missing.
- Fillings are put in place to not only repair damage from decay already done to a tooth, but also to prevent the decay and subsequent damage from spreading. If a filling is lost of shifted out of place, the decay can spread to the gums and/or surrounding teeth. This can lead to an infection that requires root canal therapy.
- As with any type of restorative dental work, a lost or loose filling can cause pain and discomfort. Additionally, damaged dental work can alter how your teeth and jaws fit together, which effects the bite and can lead to TMJ, bruxism, and the side effects that accompany these conditions. In most cases, the pain will not permanently subside until the problem is addressed and repaired.
- Anytime infection or decay is present, the aesthetics of the teeth and gums can be compromised. Staining, tooth spacing, and gum recession can all occur as a result of untreated tooth decay.
Dental Care in Waco
If an existing dental filling has come loose or been lost, Dr. Locke and our dental team will use expert skill and precision to treat any spread of decay, clean the effected area, and use restorative dental work and other necessary procedures to restore your smile to tip-top shape.