If you’re unhappy with the front tooth filling in your smile, you might be considering a front tooth restoration from the Portland cosmetic dentist of your choice. But what exactly do these restorations entail? This guide will go over everything you need to know about front tooth fillings and help you decide if this treatment is right for you!
8 Proven Ways to Tell if You Need a New Tooth Filling
While many tooth fillings can last a lifetime, they are more prone to breakage than your natural teeth. When you eat and drink things with high acidity (such as tomato sauce), it’s possible for some fillings to crack or even fall out, leaving a hole in your tooth. While these holes won’t immediately cause pain (in fact, some people don’t notice them until after they have eaten a meal), they will eventually develop into cavities if left untreated. If your tooth is painful or you notice an indentation where there used to be a filling, there are steps you can take today to determine if you need to see a dentist about getting new front tooth fillings.
What are the different types of fillings and which type should you choose?
Dental fillings come in a few different types, each one with its own set of pros and cons. Here’s what you need to know about your choices. Composite fillings: To be clear, composites aren’t actually fillings at all. Composite resin is used as a filling material that hardens after it’s placed into a hole in your tooth. It’s made from polymers and resins mixed together, which means it looks like plastic when it’s finished. The downside is that composite fillings are prone to cracks or chipping over time, so they don’t last as long as other options. On top of that, some people have allergic reactions to them. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) fillings: This type of filling uses porcelain fused onto metal for strength and durability—and because they don’t chip or crack easily, they’re often considered more attractive than other types of fillings.
Benefits of Composite Over Porcelain
Both composite and porcelain fillings are used to restore decayed teeth. The main difference between these two types of filling is that porcelain is more resistant to abrasion (useful for back teeth) while composite is more resistant to cracking (good for front teeth). Also, many dentists will use a colored resin on back teeth, in order to create a natural-looking tooth. This coloring can sometimes hide some imperfections in your smile and make them less noticeable than they really are, but it can also make some flaws stand out. Another downside to composite fillings is that they can yellow with age. You’ll need to get them replaced every ten years or so if you want your smile to look bright and white for long periods of time. Porcelain fillings do not discolor over time, but they do tend to be more expensive than composite ones. For most people, though, porcelain is worth paying extra for because it lasts longer and looks better over time.
What are Porcelain Inlays and Onlays?
Porcelain inlays and onlays are made of dental porcelain and are placed by your dentist or a dental lab. Porcelain inlays can be used to fill spaces between teeth (called interproximal spaces) as well as to strengthen badly broken down teeth, especially molars. Front tooth fillings, on the other hand, consist of many different materials depending on your particular needs. Here are some common front tooth filling materials
Are Metal Tooth Fillings Better Than Others?
Crowns are great at protecting and fixing teeth that have been damaged by decay or an accident. But dental crowns themselves can become damaged over time, and in some cases, they may be permanently unfixable. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to get your front tooth filling replaced.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
While an estimated 70% of Americans have at least one filling in their teeth, not everyone is aware that those fillings don’t last forever. Without regular maintenance and a trip to your dentist, crowns can wear out or fall out within just a few years. Once a tooth has been restored with a dental crown or front tooth filling, you should return to your dentist every 6 months for cleanings and X-rays to ensure that everything is staying intact. You also need to make sure you keep up with routine dental checkups; while they aren’t necessary when you have crowns or fillings, it’s always smart to brush twice a day and floss regularly—even if you think nothing could be wrong!
10 Signs That You Should Get Your Dental Crown Replaced
Even if you can’t see any problems with your dental crown, it’s still important to have it checked periodically. You might need to replace a tooth-colored filling before it gets too bad or even change out a full-coverage gold filling that is starting to look ugly. But how do you know when one of your crowns has failed and should be replaced? A good rule of thumb is that if you notice one or more of these signs, call your dentist for an evaluation
