A filling is often used to repair a tooth that has been affected by a minor dental fracture or a cavity. Typical filling materials include composite and amalgam.
With the passage of time, the natural bacteria living in your mouth can work to weaken the dental adhesive that is bonding the filling to the surrounding tooth enamel. This is even more likely to be an issue if you’ve struggled to maintain a consistent daily oral hygiene routine or if you tend to put off attending your regular dental checkup at Alan Rembos, DDS.
These things could make the filling fail and fall out. If there is no new tooth decay in the void, Dr. Alan Rembos might be able to remove a small amount of enamel and apply a new filling.
If the missing filling was large or if a new cavity has formed within the surrounding tooth enamel, there might not be enough healthy enamel remaining to anchor a filling. In a situation like this, your dentist will likely recommend restoring the tooth with a dental crown.
A crown is typically made from either porcelain, gold, or a base metal alloy. The material your dentist recommends will vary depending on the tooth’s primary function in your mouth and its visibility in your smile. Gold and base metal crowns are used primarily on back teeth as they are durable enough to handle the work of grinding tough foods. Porcelain crowns can be shaded to perfectly match the surrounding teeth in your smile.
If you live in the Naples, and Sanibel, Florida, area and you have a bad filling, you should call one of our three convenient locations to seek timely professional care at Alan Rembos, DDS.