A broken filling typically comes with some kind of pain in the area whether it's increased sensitivity or severe tooth pain. However, sometimes pain never occurs at all, in which case, you are going to start wondering whether or not you should have the filling replaced. The problem with this is that the area is still prone to problems once it's exposed from a broken filling. Here are three important reasons you need it replaced:
- Prevent Infection: Once the filling breaks, the tooth has a hole that is exposed for bacteria to accumulate. When this happens, you are more vulnerable to a tooth infection. This can definitely become a major problem fairly quickly since an infected tooth decays rapidly. From here, the infection can possibly spread to other teeth and you are going to experience pain. So even if you aren't experiencing pain now, you are going to later.
- Prevent Possible Root Canal: In order to remove the decay once it has spread, if it gets to this point, you are probably going to have to have a root canal. The root canal will ensure that the decay does not spread and the infection is removed. This is definitely needed soon after a filling has fallen out since it's at this point that an infection can spread into the exposed tooth. This is why it's so important not to wait after you have discovered a broken filling.
- Prevent Extraction: At some point, a root canal is deemed unhelpful once the infection has spread to the tooth entirely. When this happens, extraction is definitely the only method in which the removal of the infection will work. This is much more expensive than both a root canal and the process of simply fixing a broken filling. Plus, you have to pay for the replacement of the tooth with either an implant or bridge, which then becomes more costly to maintain for the rest of your lifetime.
When you know the three major reasons you need to replace your broken filling, you can be sure that you understand the importance of calling right away to schedule an appointment once you notice it. Not to worry, though. If you don't notice the signs, so long as you are visiting your dentist every 6 months, they will be able to discover whether or not your previous fillings are still in tact or whether or not they need replacing. Visit a site like http://www.treasuredsmilesdentistry.com for more information.
