What To Do About A Loose Filling?

Fillings don’t last forever and our Burton and Ashby patients may need repairs from time to time

Very few people will manage to go through life without having a tooth filled. This is by far the most common way to restore a tooth that has been damaged or where a cavity has formed due to tooth decay. Traditionally, these have been filled using amalgam, a combination of metals that form a hard and robust material that is strong and long lasting. There are disadvantages to this material however which we will come to a little later on.

The longevity of a filling will depend on a number of factors including where it is located. A filling placed in a rear tooth will undergo more stress, due to chewing, than one closer to the front. Some people have fillings that last for a very long time, but generally they should last for around ten years or so on average.

Whilst fillings do offer a strong restoration, they can eventually become loose. If not checked by a dentist, this could lead to trouble.

What to do about a loose filling?

Fillings become loose for a variety of reasons. Because of the way they are placed, they can still remain secure within the tooth, but with some movement. Providing that this doesn’t affect day to day tasks such as eating, and isn’t causing any pain, some people might be tempted to leave it and wait until it falls out. Although this might be understandable in nervous patients especially, doing so could lead to a number of problems.

A loose filling means that food and bacteria can find their way into the spaces around the filling. As this continues, your natural tooth may start to decay. This will cause even more movement of the filling and you will not be able to clean these areas to prevent it happening.

If you do notice a filling coming loose, you should call Alexandra Dental Care and allow one of our dentists to take a look at it.

Treating a loose filling

If your filling has become loose, the tooth will need to be either filled or restored in another way. To treat a loose filling, it will first of all be removed so that the dentist can see if any further decay has occurred. Where there are concerns, an X-ray may also be taken to make sure that the root canals have not been infected. If any further decay is detected, this will first of all be removed before a decision is taken on the best way to restore the newly prepared tooth.

The most obvious way to restore the tooth, following the removal of any further decay, would be to fill it again. This is often the case, but in some instances, other methods may be more suitable. Where the tooth can be refilled, patients might wish to take advantage of a cosmetic dental filling which can be made to match the colour of the natural tooth.  Whilst amalgam is strong, it does have the distinct disadvantage of being very dark in colour and therefore very visible. A tooth coloured filling will blend in with your natural tooth, making it hard to see. Please note that even if your amalgam filling is healthy, it can still be replaced with a tooth coloured filling. Our Swadlincote dentists offer an amalgam removal service, replacing it with a white filling.

If the tooth has become more extensively damaged or significantly more of the tooth needs to be removed due to decay, it may be more advantageous to restore the tooth using a crown. This will offer more strength to the tooth as well as appearing aesthetically pleasing.

Fitting a crown usually takes two visits; one to prepare the tooth and take impressions and another to fit the tooth which has been produced externally at a dental laboratory. Our Burton and Ashby patients however, can take advantage of our Cerec produced crowns. These are made from 3D scans that are taken once the tooth has been prepared. A new crown is then milled, using a computerised system, from a block of porcelain. This process takes around one hour and you can then have the crown fitted straight away. This will save you the inconvenience of two visits to the dentist and also negates the need to wear temporary crowns. There is some evidence too, that Cerec produced crowns may be stronger than those produced in a dental laboratory.

These are the two most common ways to restore a tooth where a filling has become loose. Where the damage or decay has become too extensive, it may be necessary to remove the tooth. If this is the case, we are able to offer advice on a suitable replacement, whether that be dentures, a bridge or dental implants.

Whatever you do, please don’t ignore a loose filling, and certainly don’t attempt to secure it yourself using glue or anything similar! This is a job for a dentist and we are always happy to help should this happen to you. For loose fillings or any other oral care issues, you can contact Alexandra Dental Care on 01283 216347.

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