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Decaying tooth?
10 Answers
Hello, I have a silver filling in my back molar which I've had for about 10 years. I'm not sure what's going on but it looks like my filling is 'spreading' to the rest of my tooth, it either looks like it's turning grey like the metal or just decaying. I look after my teeth and don't have any other problems, has anyone else had this?
Thanks in advance :-)
Thanks in advance :-)
Answers
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I had something a bit like that, went to the dentist about it last week and she said my old dentist (who had put the filling in) hadn't done it properly and my tooth was starting to rot.
If you're filling's not been put in right or filled properly, which apparently happens quite alot, then bacteria can get in and start to rot your tooth from the inside.
It might not be that but I'd go get it checked out at your dentist just incase.
If you're filling's not been put in right or filled properly, which apparently happens quite alot, then bacteria can get in and start to rot your tooth from the inside.
It might not be that but I'd go get it checked out at your dentist just incase.
Hi Emu2005, there are a number of reasons why a molar tooth with an amalgam restoration would change colour over time:
- corrosion poducts from the restoration leaking into the surrounding tooth tissuse
- wear/tooth surface loss allowing more of the amalgam restoration to 'shine through'
- 'recurrent decay' (that is decay around/beneath the restoration)
Sometimes the restoration does not need replacing, however ALL fail eventually and therefore ultimately equire replacement
- corrosion poducts from the restoration leaking into the surrounding tooth tissuse
- wear/tooth surface loss allowing more of the amalgam restoration to 'shine through'
- 'recurrent decay' (that is decay around/beneath the restoration)
Sometimes the restoration does not need replacing, however ALL fail eventually and therefore ultimately equire replacement
People have mentioned 'dentist not putting the filling in properly' etc..
This does happen clearly however please try and remember if you didn't eat ANY sugar you would NEVER get decay FACT!
Therefore whilst a number of you state that you 'look after your teeth' thats all very well however clearly you needed restorations in the first place (over 95% as a result of 'decay') or they wouldn't be there.
All restorations fail eventually but no matter how 'good the filling' if your diet contains fermentable sugar the lifetime of the restoration will be shortened regardless of defective margins or not.
i.e. a 'crap' filling in someone who 'never' eats sugar is going to last a lot longer than a 'good filling' in someone who drinks 5 cans of coca cola a day
Therefore you should think of dental restorations like your car, whether its a porsche or a fiesta if you have it serviced then drove it straight into a brick wall you wouldn't take it back to the mechanic wondering why it was broken.
This does happen clearly however please try and remember if you didn't eat ANY sugar you would NEVER get decay FACT!
Therefore whilst a number of you state that you 'look after your teeth' thats all very well however clearly you needed restorations in the first place (over 95% as a result of 'decay') or they wouldn't be there.
All restorations fail eventually but no matter how 'good the filling' if your diet contains fermentable sugar the lifetime of the restoration will be shortened regardless of defective margins or not.
i.e. a 'crap' filling in someone who 'never' eats sugar is going to last a lot longer than a 'good filling' in someone who drinks 5 cans of coca cola a day
Therefore you should think of dental restorations like your car, whether its a porsche or a fiesta if you have it serviced then drove it straight into a brick wall you wouldn't take it back to the mechanic wondering why it was broken.
Hear Hear!!! MrXLA
Having worked in a dental surgery for 5 years I can tell you that it's most probably a leaking filling. As your filling is 10 years old, it has run its course and needs changing. 10 years is pretty good.
Although it's called "leaking" no actual leaks comes out into you mouth is just a term.
You have nothing to worry about just get it changed during your appt.
I've never heard of anyone not putting an amalgam filling in properly. Sometimes if a cavity is really big then it's best to use white composite filling as it bonds better and helps the tooth to stay intact as an amalgam filling can sometimes be too much for a tooth with a massive cavity and then the tooth cracks or breaks off.
If you want to avoid discolouring/leaking of your teeth by fillings then go for composite fillings instead. More expensive but also a lot nicer to look at
Having worked in a dental surgery for 5 years I can tell you that it's most probably a leaking filling. As your filling is 10 years old, it has run its course and needs changing. 10 years is pretty good.
Although it's called "leaking" no actual leaks comes out into you mouth is just a term.
You have nothing to worry about just get it changed during your appt.
I've never heard of anyone not putting an amalgam filling in properly. Sometimes if a cavity is really big then it's best to use white composite filling as it bonds better and helps the tooth to stay intact as an amalgam filling can sometimes be too much for a tooth with a massive cavity and then the tooth cracks or breaks off.
If you want to avoid discolouring/leaking of your teeth by fillings then go for composite fillings instead. More expensive but also a lot nicer to look at
Hi MrXLA, Happy Face
Thanks for your answers - has made me feel better. I wasn't trying to say I never have sugar or anything, I was just trying to point out I didn't think it was a coincidence as my other teeth are fine (and I never drink coke!).
Just spoken to my dentist and annoyingly they can't extend my appointment, I can have a filling or check up but not both! Oh well as long as it's not going to fall out when I'm on holiday that's the main thing.
Thanks again for your help :-) (Will def be going for a white filling next time)
Thanks for your answers - has made me feel better. I wasn't trying to say I never have sugar or anything, I was just trying to point out I didn't think it was a coincidence as my other teeth are fine (and I never drink coke!).
Just spoken to my dentist and annoyingly they can't extend my appointment, I can have a filling or check up but not both! Oh well as long as it's not going to fall out when I'm on holiday that's the main thing.
Thanks again for your help :-) (Will def be going for a white filling next time)
Even how much we try we will always encounter sugar in our diet some way or another.
All fizzy drinks are really bad and even fruit juices. Even though in fruit juices it's often a natural fruit sugar it still causes havoc with the teeth. But we would live in a boring world if we took all the sweet things away. A good tip is to eat cheese after having something sugary as it neutralises the acids. Chewing gum between meals helps create saliva and saliva is our best friend in fighting sugar. Unfortunately saliva also caused tartar build up because of the calcium if teeth are not cleaned on a regular basis.
Regular brushing, flossing and using a flouride mouthwash will keep teeth and more importantly gums healthy. Colgate do a mouthwash called Flouride which I personally think is one of the best out there on the market.
Sorry to harp on :-)
All fizzy drinks are really bad and even fruit juices. Even though in fruit juices it's often a natural fruit sugar it still causes havoc with the teeth. But we would live in a boring world if we took all the sweet things away. A good tip is to eat cheese after having something sugary as it neutralises the acids. Chewing gum between meals helps create saliva and saliva is our best friend in fighting sugar. Unfortunately saliva also caused tartar build up because of the calcium if teeth are not cleaned on a regular basis.
Regular brushing, flossing and using a flouride mouthwash will keep teeth and more importantly gums healthy. Colgate do a mouthwash called Flouride which I personally think is one of the best out there on the market.
Sorry to harp on :-)
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