Why Should I Replace a Filling That Doesn’t Currently Cause Me Pain?
By Peter Scerbo | Published on October 13, 2010 | 0 Comments
Preventative maintenance is always important, especially when it comes to issues regarding oral health. Just because a patient’s mouth isn’t in pain doesn’t mean there aren’t damaging things going on underneath the surface, explains Dr. Peter Scerbo of Florida Smiles Dental.
As a dentist who regularly repairs dental crowns for patients in Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Scerbo frequently comes across patients who want to know how long they can put off having specific dental procedures done–particularly when it comes to having cavities treated or fillings replaced. The motivation behind procrastinating, says Dr. Scerbo, is to usually to avoid spending the money for as long as possible.
The problem with waiting until you actually feel pain to begin a dental procedure, however, is that doing so could actually end up causing you more pain and costing you more money in the long run. The most common reason why a dentist will tell his patient that a filling needs to be replaced is if that filling is breaking away from the tooth. But as Dr. Scerbo explains, a worn down filling that is coming away from the tooth is a serious problem that can result in extensive restoration procedures if left untreated.
Of course, a filling that is breaking away from a tooth isn’t necessarily a painful problem—at least not at first. If a piece of a filling is breaking away from a tooth and the patient is not aware of it—which Dr. Scerbo says is oftentimes the case—then the tooth underneath can begin to decay very rapidly. Once that decay has occurred, the process of replacing the filling and fixing the tooth is going to be much more costly and burdensome for the patient.
In many cases, the decay that occurs underneath a deteriorated filling can result in root canal treatment, dental crowns, or even more extensive restoration procedures–which is precisely why patients should not put off having broken filling replaced. By having fillings or dental crowns replaced as soon as signs of deterioration are uncovered, patients can do their part to preserve the maximum amount of natural tooth structure possible. Furthermore, failing to report dental problems can result in excruciating pain for the patient if the decay gets into the nerve of the tooth–all the more reason for patients to never put off dental appointments simply because they aren’t presently in pain.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.