I have always had an uncomfortable sensation in my front tooth filling, but I had no idea what the problem was. After several months of not being able to figure out what was wrong, I decided to make an appointment with my dentist and get the problem resolved so that I could finally be comfortable again! Turns out that I needed some work done on my tooth fillings, and I was happy that I finally figured it out. If you are currently experiencing similar discomfort, you should probably take a look at your own fillings to see if there’s anything amiss!
When should you get your fillings replaced?
You can have your old fillings checked for any reason, but many people choose to get them replaced if they notice sensitivity or pain. If you grind your teeth and don’t wear a protective mouth guard at night, make sure to check them out soon. Front tooth fillings also tend to be replaced every 10 years or so because they wear out more quickly than back tooth fillings. In some cases, where teeth are damaged beyond repair by decay, they need to be removed entirely. That’s why it’s important to see your dentist regularly so you can catch any issues early on. It could save you from having to replace all of your front teeth.
Deciding on veneers vs. crowns
When my front tooth fillings started to chip away, my dentist recommended putting in veneers. Although a crown would have been significantly more expensive, it would also last a lot longer and make my teeth look brighter and healthier. We decided on veneers because our options were limited by insurance—the crowns were too expensive to cover. But it’s good to know what you’re getting into when signing up for dental work; think about how long you’ll want your new smile to last before making your decision. More important than cost is figuring out what works best for you so that you can maintain an attractive smile over time. It’s okay if things don’t always go as planned! You may be surprised at how much thought goes into such a seemingly simple decision. This is why it’s helpful to consult with professionals who understand your needs (and won’t just try to sell you something). Think of your dentist or orthodontist as someone who wants to help, not hinder, your smile goals. Asking questions and being clear about what you need from them will help ensure they do everything they can to help keep you smiling all year round!
My experience with bonding
Before having my front tooth fillings replaced, I thought that it would be a big ordeal. However, throughout the entire process from start to finish, Dr. Wornick and his staff were friendly and welcoming. It was easy to schedule an appointment and they answered all of my questions thoroughly before beginning any work. Even after my procedure had been completed, I always felt comfortable asking questions about my dental health or any concerns I had about how things were healing so that we could discuss any issues or future planning together in a timely manner.
The procedure itself
Before deciding to undergo any kind of dental procedure, most people like to know exactly what’s involved. The good news is that in most cases, dentists can walk you through everything you need to know about your oral health and treatment options. In my case, we discussed everything from possible post-procedure discomfort and sensitivity, to how long it would take for my teeth to become less sensitive (all of which were very easy and manageable). We also talked about what front tooth fillings are—basically a small amount of composite resin material used in combination with a bonding agent that’s bonded into place.
While there’s no way to predict if or when one might break down, they do have an average lifespan of 10 years. During our conversation, I asked if there was anything else he could do to make them last longer than 10 years. He said that while nothing was guaranteed, he did recommend avoiding hard foods like ice cream or frozen fruits as much as possible because they can sometimes cause damage over time. That being said, he also told me that anyone who regularly brushes their teeth twice a day and flosses daily should be able to avoid having issues with their fillings altogether.
Why it’s better to avoid unnecessary fillings
If you have damaged teeth, it can be tempting to immediately seek out filling options. While a dental filling is an easy and popular solution for a chipped tooth, in some cases, it might not even be necessary. Before you rush off to your dentist to get new fillings installed, consider whether or not they are actually warranted. Restorative dentistry works best when there is a clear indication that extra care is needed—in other words, when there’s something wrong with your smile and it needs repair. A simple filling may work just fine as a temporary fix until you can find an alternative solution that will correct any existing issues in the long run. This way, you’ll save yourself from needing unnecessary procedures down the road. Your dentist should always be able to give you an honest opinion about what course of action would make sense for your specific situation.
By choosing carefully, you can avoid spending money on procedures that don’t really address a problem. Also, keep in mind that dentists who offer patients more treatments tend to earn more money than those who don’t; so if your primary care provider is pressuring you into treatment because he or she stands to gain financially from it, that could indicate an ulterior motive behind their advice and recommendations. There are many things your general practitioner doesn’t know about teeth–but they do know how much money they stand to make on procedures like these!
And finally, what you can do if you are in the same situation I was in
To repair damage to your teeth, whether it be from an accident or just everyday wear and tear, you have three options: Have a dentist fill or replace your tooth; place a veneer over it; or crown it. Veneers can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per tooth, so that’s out for most people. Having a dentist repair or replace teeth will cost you around $200 per filling but only lasts five years on average. The problem with that is as time goes on, especially if you have older fillings already in place, they will continue to decay and may even cause worse damage than before. In my case, my choice was clear – get crowns! But are they worth it? After all, they don’t last forever either (15-20 years). Yes, they’re expensive. Yes, it’s painful having them put in. And yes, there’s still some risk of infection afterwards. BUT… They do look great! They do feel great! And more importantly… They last FOREVER! That is why I say YES to getting crowns – because unlike other solutions out there which merely cover up your problems… Crowns solve them once and for all!
