While a dental filling is meant to repair a tooth, and restore its full structural integrity for many years, many still have a finite lifespan. The passage of time and inconsistencies in your daily oral hygiene practices could gradually start to demineralize the adjacent tooth enamel.
As this starts to happen the bacteria in your mouth might be able to infiltrate the microscopic seam between the dental filling material and the tooth enamel. In many of these cases, you will notice some overt symptoms.
This could include increased sensitivity, a change in texture, or an abnormal gray color developing in the surrounding tooth enamel.
If you have noticed any of these issues in a previously repaired tooth, you need to have it examined by a professionally trained dentist like Dr. Sandy Pape. After a thorough examination they can present you with the applicable treatment options.
In some of these cases, Dr. Sandy Pape might be able to repair a small distressed filling by simply removing a small amount of additional enamel. Then a new slightly larger dental filling can be secured in its place.
If the problematic dental filling is large or a new area of tooth decay has developed in the tooth they might a dental crown restoration. This mode of treatment is designed to fully replace the tooth’s enamel layer with an alternate dental material.
If you live in the Key West, Florida, area and you have a distressed filling, you should call 305-293-1660 to seek treatment at Isle Smile.