What Are Some Common Problems Associated With Dental Fillings?

Common Issues Associated With Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are a safe and long-lasting restorative procedure. Dental fillings can:

• Limit damage caused by decay or trauma
• Prevent tooth loss
• Prevent nerve damage and mitigate the risk for root canal surgery
• Preserve the structure and restore the function of a tooth
• Lower the bacteria count in your mouth

But sometimes patients will experience complications from old or new dental fillings including:

Tooth Sensitivity
Immediately after getting a dental filling, it is not uncommon to experience tenderness and increased tooth sensitivity. Temperature, sugary foods, pressure, and even exposure to air can trigger sensitivity. This sensitivity should resolve within a week or two. If the tooth sensitivity has not decreased after four weeks or you experience extreme sensitivity, contact your dentist.

Pain
Pain caused by dental fillings can include:

• Contact Pain- This pain will occur when you bite down because the new filling is interfering with your bite. Usually, this can be repaired by reshaping the filling. Contact pain can also occur when a new filling touches another restoration. Certain metal restoration materials can interact with each other and cause a shooting pain. This should resolve within a couple of weeks.
• Pain Due To Temperature- A bad filling can cause you to experience sharp tooth pain when exposed to very cold or very hot temperatures. This pain is likely due to nerve damage because your filling is no longer protecting your tooth from damage and decay. Your filling will likely need to be repaired or replaced.
• Persistent, Throbbing Pain- This type of pain could indicate nerve damage too. It is likely that the pulp of your tooth (the neurovascular tissue inside of your tooth) is compromised and you may need root canal surgery. 
• Referred Pain- Referred pain is when your filled tooth simply passes pain signals along to your surrounding teeth. This weird sensation does not usually indicate a problem and should resolve on its own within a couple of weeks.

Filling Deterioration
Over time your filling can begin to deteriorate. This can be due to normal wear and tear from chewing, or it can be caused by clenching and grinding and your fillings can begin to crack or chip. This compromises the seal between the filling material and your tooth enamel allowing food particles and bacteria to infiltrate the tooth and cause decay or even infection.

Amalgam Exposure
Amalgam fillings have been used for decades to repair cavities. But studies have shown that this material, which is composed of approximately 50 percent mercury, could have potentially harmful effects on your oral and overall health. Mercury exposure is linked to:

• Alzheimer’s disease 
• Autoimmune disorders 
• Multiple sclerosis 
• Parkinson’s disease
• Reproductive dysfunction

For these reasons, many dentists recommend replacing your silver amalgam dental fillings with a biocompatible resin composite material.

Damaged fillings are prone to loosening and falling out. 
Here is What To Do When Your Tooth Filling Falls Out.
 

Repair Or Replace Problem Fillings At Dr. Korol Dental

If you are experiencing any problems with your fillings, old or new, you may need to have your dental fillings repaired or replaced. Immediate attention from your dentist is critical to prevent infection, treat tooth pain, and avoid further tooth decay or tooth loss and root canal surgery. The team at Dr. Korol Dentistry is committed to the healthiest tooth restoration options available. To learn more about your options for dental filling repair or replacement, mercury filling removal, and biocompatible dental fillings and book an appointment at Dr. Korol Dental to experience how a holistic approach to dental care can elevate your dental experience and optimize your overall health.

Dr. Korol and her skilled and compassionate team are committed to providing the highest quality and safest, most holistic approach to dental care, oral health, and overall well-being. We offer the newest and most effective treatments and technologies to support a lifetime of good health. Our practice is committed to a biocompatible approach to family dentistry. Book your appointment by calling (403) 245-9099 or filling out our online form.