How do you tell if there is decay under a filling?

Dental X-rays can be taken to evaluate the teeth for decay under dental fillings or even between teeth. If a filling has failed or decay is detected on the X-rays, the fillings will have to be replaced. If the recurrent decay is extensive, a dentist may need to use a crown to replace the filling.

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Can your tooth decay under a filling?

Unfortunately, tooth decay can still happen underneath a filling, especially if the filling has been cracked, worn, or otherwise damaged. In these cases, bacteria can enter your tooth and a new cavity can start again.

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How do you know if a filling is damaged?

How Do I Know if a Filling is Damaged?
  • Increased tooth sensitivity, particularly to hot and cold temperatures.
  • Sudden pain in the treated tooth.
  • Visible cracks or fissures.
  • A change in the way the tooth feels (for instance, feeling a hole or crack when you run your tongue over the tooth)

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How do I know if I have decay under my crown?

Symptoms of tooth decay under a crown

Inflamed, swollen gums. Increased tooth sensitivity. Toothaches or pain. Visible grey or brown spots at the base of the tooth.

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Can a dentist see decay under crown on an xray?

Usually there is metal underneath the porcelain or the crown is made entirely of metal. This metal makes it impossible for the tooth structure inside of the crown to be seen on a radiograph (x ray). When decay under a crown is small, it is often difficult to detect.

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Diagnosing MASSIVE Decay under filling on back molar extremely difficult

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Can a dentist fix decay under a crown?

Fixing a Cavity Under a Dental Crown

If a cavity is along the margin of a dental crown and does not go very deep into the tooth, it might be able to be fixed with normal dental filling material. In most other cases, the dental crown probably will need to be removed, the cavity filled, and a new crown placed on top.

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How do I know if a filling needs to be replaced?

To help you protect your smile, teeth, and gums, here are 6 signs your filling may need to be replaced:
  1. The Filling is Cracked. ...
  2. Your Tooth Hurts. ...
  3. You Have Sensitivity When You Drink Cold Beverages. ...
  4. Your Filling is Discolored. ...
  5. You Were Injured. ...
  6. Your Filling is Old.

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How many times can a filling be replaced?

There is no single number of how many times you can have a filling replaced. Usually, we will stop replacing the dental filling after the hole becomes too large. Once you have more filling material than natural tooth material your tooth no longer holds enough strength.

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How often do fillings need to be replaced?

A patient with resin fillings may need to replace the fillings every seven to 10 years. Silver or amalgam fillings are also popular due to their durability and affordability, lasting an average of 15 years. Gold fillings are less popular because they are more expensive. However, gold fillings can last the longest.

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How do you prevent decay under fillings?

Can I Prevent Cavities from Forming Under My Filling? You can prevent cavity formation with proper oral hygiene regimens, including brushing your teeth twice per day and flossing daily. You should also take care of your dental work so that fillings can continue protecting vulnerable parts of your teeth.

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Does replacing old fillings hurt?

For the patient, a filling replacement will not feel any different from any other dental work. The local anesthetic ensures that you do not feel any pain during the procedure. After removing the old silver filling material, your dentist prepares the tooth for the new filling, onlay, or dental crown.

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What does tooth decay look like?

Visible holes or pits in your teeth: Cavities form tiny openings in teeth that gradually become larger. Discoloration: Teeth with cavities may appear yellow, brown, or black. Pain: Throbbing pain in your teeth is usually a sign of an infection, which means the cavity has reached your tooth's pulp (center).

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How do dentists remove old fillings?

The dentist can remove an amalgam filling using an evacuator. This piece of equipment is a powerful suction system that can remove mercury vapors and amalgam particles. An evacuator must always be turned on during the removal of an amalgam dental filling.

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Is 5 fillings a lot?

In general, adults develop an average of three cavities during their lifetimes. This means that the average adult has three or four fillings in their mouth. Some patients end up with ten or more fillings depending on how well they care for their teeth.

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What happens if a filling is not replaced?

If a filling isn't replaced within a few days, it could cause damage to the unprotected tooth. Bacteria and food particles can stick into the empty space, causing decay. Also, the missing filling can expose dentin, the second layer of tooth under the hard outer enamel.

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Why did my tooth filling turned black?

The silver (amalgam) fillings that were used for many years contained a mixture of metal alloy containing, silver, tin, copper and mercury. As with many metals that are exposed to a wet environment they will begin to break down and oxidize, often times turning black.

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What is the lifespan of a tooth filling?

Typically, fillings last around 10 years. Many restorations (the clinical term for dental fillings) last much longer. In addition to the materials used, other factors affecting the life span of a filling include: your eating habits.

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How much does it cost to redo a filling?

Composite fillings are made from a resin designed to match the color of tooth enamel. They aren't as noticeable as metal fillings, but they are less durable. Composite fillings may cost between $150 to $300 for 1–2 teeth or $200 to $550 for 3 or more teeth.

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What does decaying crown feel like?

Developing a cavity underneath your crown may cause you to experience pain within your tooth. If left untreated, it may spread throughout your remaining tooth structure. Decay stems from the food that is left within your mouth after eating, which the bacteria living in your mouth thrives on.

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How serious is a cavity under a crown?

A cavity under a crown can be difficult to treat, and may require a root canal. Your dentist will likely recommend removing the infected tissue from your tooth if the cavity has become infected. After a root canal, you will need to have another crown placed on your tooth.

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What does tooth decay under a crown look like?

Brown and Grey Spots in the Affected Area

Brown and grey spot formations are a distinct visual indicator of a potential infection or tooth decay under a dental crown. Spots can be visible on the white portion of a veneer, almost appearing like mould.

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Should I get my old fillings removed?

Should Dental Amalgam Fillings Be Removed? If your filling is in good condition and your dentist or health care professional says there is no decay beneath the filling, removal of your amalgam filling is not recommended.

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Why is my filling throbbing?

An Irritated Nerve

Sometimes the filling can come close to the nerve ending and cause some irritation. However, as the tooth heals, the throbbing pain and sensitivity will slowly go away.

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How long does replacing a filling take?

In general, a filling takes an hour or less. A simple filling may take as few as 20 minutes. Many dental offices now have the technology to make onlays and inlays in one appointment, though a larger filling or multiple fillings can take longer.

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What are 2 signs that indicate tooth decay?

Symptoms of tooth decay
  • toothache – either continuous pain keeping you awake or occasional sharp pain without an obvious cause.
  • tooth sensitivity – you may feel tenderness or pain when eating or drinking something hot, cold or sweet.
  • grey, brown or black spots appearing on your teeth.
  • bad breath.

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