Tag Archives: metal fillings

white fillings replacing old metalIf you’ve been writing a list of New Year’s resolutions for your teeth, now is the time to act on them. Over the years, we put our teeth through an awful lot, including plenty of things that can cause cavities that need fillings and crowns. As time goes on and your teeth change, and so does the structure of these fillings and dental crowns. Often, these changes are not for the best and the dental filling or crown can stop being as effective as it was when it was first placed.

CALL (718) DR-SMILE (718-377-6453) or click here to request an appointment for a dental fillings and crowns consultation today!

If you’ve been having doubts about old fillings or crowns, why not take the New Year as a good chance to do something about it. Replacing old crowns and fillings will help to extend the longevity and health of your teeth. Read below about more benefits to replacing old crowns and fillings.

How long do crowns last before they need replacing?

Generally speaking, dental crowns last between five and fifteen years. This obviously varies on many factors revolving around your personal circumstances. As a rule of thumb, you should feel confident that your crown would keep protecting the nerve ending around your tooth for five years. Most dental insurance plans cover crown replacements for this time period.

Single Crown Before & After
Single Crown Before & After

After five years, you should start paying attention to the area around your crown. Many factors such as the amount of chewing and biting forces, which contribute to unavoidable wear and tear, as well as how well you take care of the area will impact on how long your crown will last.

When you have a crown, make sure you brush and clean the area regularly and thoroughly. This is especially important after the five-year mark. After five years, it is worth checking up with your Bronx dentist and seeing how your crown is coping and if it needs replacing. Prevention is often the best way to deal with this.

When should fillings be replaced? What if I have old metal fillings?

Fillings don’t last forever, unfortunately. What is fortunate, however, is that options with fillings have changed with time. In the past, metal amalgam fillings that stand out like a silver sore thumb in the mouth are no longer the only option. Today there is the option to get tooth-colored fillings that are a much more attractive option. This leads to many people wondering if they should replace all silver amalgam fillings from bygone days.

There are certainly many benefits to composite fillings, some of which include:

  • They don’t contain mercury (unlike amalgam or metal fillings)
  • They strengthen the tooth by bonding to it
  • They look better as the color blends with the tooth
  • They don’t require as much of the tooth to be removed to be placed

However, this doesn’t mean that you need to replace every single metal filling immediately. There are a few factors that can help you decide if now is the right time to replace old fillings for the New Year. Consider the following reasons:

  • Fractured tooth
  • Age which causes looseness around the filling and causes decay to get in
  • Leakage when the bond is no longer strong
  • Cosmetic reasons if the look really does both you that much

The best way to decide if you need to replace old fillings is to consult your dentist. The New Year is the perfect opportunity to book an appointment for all-over dental check up and be sure to ask about any queries you have regarding old fillings.

CALL (718) DR-SMILE (718-377-6453) today for your dental fillings and crowns consultation or click here to request an appointment online.