Tooth-colored fillings are a great way to repair a damaged or decayed tooth while keeping your smile looking and feeling its best. Tooth-colored composite resin matches your natural tooth color, giving you a seamless appearance and making it possible to bite down and chew your favorite foods.
Although they’re durable, composite fillings don’t last forever, and your St. Cloud dentist wants you to watch out for signs of a failing filling before it causes further dental issues.
So, how do you know if you need a tooth-colored filling replacement? Please keep reading to learn more.
Signs You Need to Replace a Filling
Your tooth-colored filling will last for many years with proper care, but there are numerous ways to tell if your filling needs to be replaced, including the following:
- Pain or sensitivity when you bite down or chew
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Cracks, chips, or other visible signs of wear
- Discoloration or dark edges between your filling and the tooth
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
What Are the Risks of Delaying Replacement?
Our dental team recommends paying attention to any symptoms you’re having, as delaying treatment can lead to certain risks, such as:
- Increased pain
- Worsening tooth decay
- A broken or cracked tooth
- A dental abscess
- Root canal treatment
- Tooth loss
Repairable vs. Replacement Situations: What’s the Difference?
When you visit our dental office, we can determine whether your filling can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. Any filling that is visibly worn, damaged, broken, or loose needs to be replaced to keep bacteria from entering and causing further decay and infection.
However, if we notice a minor chip in your filling, we may be able to repair it. That’s why regular dental checkups every six months are the best way for our dental team to detect and treat dental issues before they worsen.
Need Tooth-Colored Fillings in St. Cloud, FL?
If you need to know when to replace a tooth-colored filling, our caring dental team will happily assist you! At Modern Dentistry of St. Cloud, we strive to educate every patient about their oral health and help them make informed decisions.
To schedule an appointment or ask a question, please give us a call at (321) 805-3888.