When To Get an Old Filling or Crown Replaced

There’s a lot of truth to the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, it definitely doesn’t apply to your dental work. If you have fillings or crowns, here’s what you should know.

Whether you’ve had a filling or dental crown in the past, it’s easy to assume that it’s a “one and done” situation. However, tooth restorations don’t last a lifetime.

So, when do you have to get them replaced? The short answer is that it depends.

At Advanced Dental Care of Ridgewood, Dr. Robert A. Scherrer and his team specialize in general and cosmetic dentistry. Two of the most common services he provides involve placing fillings and dental crowns to protect treated teeth moving forward.

However, they won’t last forever. In this blog, Dr. Scherrer explains why dental restorations require replacing and how to know if yours needs attention.

The purpose of a filling or crown

People are often surprised to learn that their dental restoration needs replacement. However, it makes sense when considering their primary purpose.

Dental fillings

Dr. Scherrer uses dental fillings to fill holes in the outer layer of a tooth. These openings leave the tooth vulnerable to decay, but a filling seals it up so that bacteria can’t penetrate the tooth.

Dental crown

Dental crowns offer similar protection against decay, but they repair larger areas of damage. That’s because they cover the entire visible portion of a tooth — the reason they’re sometimes referred to as “caps.”

Since these two restorations work to protect a vulnerable tooth from decay, it’s crucial for your oral health to make sure they’re operating in peak condition.

Things that impact the life of a crown or filling

Several factors influence the lifespan of a dental restoration, especially the materials used.

For instance, a filling made from composite materials may last approximately seven years, while one made of ceramic or amalgam typically lasts 15 years.

Additional things that impact the lifespan of a dental restoration include:

Your oral hygiene practices
Your eating habits, especially consuming a lot of sugar
Trauma or decay to the tooth
Grinding your teeth

Dental restorations can also fall out, sustain damage, or change in shape or color over time. It’s even possible to need additional dental work if decay spreads underneath the filling or crown.

Fortunately, Dr. Scherrer can help determine if your filling or crown requires replacing before issues arise.

When to replace your restoration

If your filling or crown doesn’t have an obvious problem — like falling out or signs of infection — Dr. Scherrer can offer personalized guidance on when to replace it.

First, Dr. Scherrer checks the restoration during your dental exam to look for potential issues, like damage or surrounding decay. He also assesses your oral health and looks for signs of cavities or gum disease.

If Dr. Scherrer doesn’t notice signs of a problem, he might ask the age of your filling or crown. Based on this information, Dr. Scherrer can offer personalized strategies to extend the life of your restoration or recommendations on when to replace it.

Do you have a filling or crown? Make sure it’s still functioning properly by scheduling a dental cleaning and routine oral exam at Advanced Dental Care of Ridgewood in Ridgewood, New Jersey, today.