A filling is commonly used to repair a cavity that forms on a tooth. Amalgam and composite resin fillings have their own adhesive properties that hold them securely to the surrounding tooth enamel. Gold and porcelain fillings are held in place by a very powerful dental adhesive. While fillings are meant to last for a long time, no filling will last forever. As a rule of thumb, the older and larger a filling is, the more likely it is to develop a problem.
Early detection and treatment of a bad filling will decrease your chances of suffering complications. With that in mind, your dentist, Dr. Khashayar Khomejany, offers these common symptoms to look out for if you suspect one of your fillings is going bad.
If you have a bad filling on the biting surface of the tooth, you might notice a sharp pain when biting down or chewing. If the filling is near your tongue, you might feel it develop a sharp edge or a change in texture.
If pervasive bacteria have worked their way between the filling and the healthy enamel of the tooth, it might develop a light shade of gray in the nearby enamel.
If you suspect one of your fillings is in distress or about to fall out, you should call 707-642-1360 to schedule an appointment at Plaza Dental Care regarding a bad dental filling in Vallejo, California.