Reasons for Filling Failure

At Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, we carefully monitor our patients for signs their fillings are wearing out and encourage them to contact us if they experience any sensitivity. Recently, scientists have learned more about the reasons fillings fail.

The new study shows that genetics are a major component of filling failure. This means that if a person comes from a family with a history of bad oral health, it is especially important for them to maintain regular hygiene and check-ups. The more predictable contributing factors were smoking and alcohol use, which are also associated with implant failure and oral cancer. The study only examined male smokers, but filling failure rates were higher for them than for nonsmokers, and people of both sexes who drank alcohol had higher failure rates.

An interesting finding of the study is that the new, white composite fillings used as an alternative to amalgam fillings work just as well as their predecessors. The white fillings are favored because they are more aesthetically-pleasing and don’t pose a risk of causing an allergic reaction, so it’s good news that they are just as long-lived and resilient.

Dr. Thomas Balcerak operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Sensitivity with Fillings

When patients suffer from tooth decay, they know they can count on treatment at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore. Our patients’ cosmetic care is of special importance to us, and the fillings we provide are not only high-quality but also colored to match patients’ teeth. But fillings work best when we have the cooperation of well-informed patients, which is why we want them to understand what it means if a tooth with a filling is sensitive.

Before a filling can be placed, the decayed enamel has to be drilled away. This may make a patient feel sore, but only for two days, at most. However, if pain spikes when the patient bites down or if the patient is unable to close their teeth together normally, the filling may be too high and need to be contoured.

High fillings are rare, but at some point, the bonding holding the filling in will break down. Fillings typically have a lifespan of about ten years. After that, cracks in the bonding will become a refuge for bacteria, which will continue to produce decay-causing acid and cause the tooth to need retreatment. Patients can avoid that by maintaining regular visits, so we’ll catch fillings that need to be replaced early.

Scott Seier, DDS, operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Acid Reflux and Tooth Erosion

As patients age, we at Advantage Dentistry work to stay in touch with them so we can respond to their changing needs. One of the changes adults experience in their oral health is the increased risk posed by acid reflux. Dr. Seier offers many options for repairing crown damage, but we want patients to know how to prevent problems before they experience pain or wear.

A patient is said to be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if their stomach acid escapes into their esophagus at least twice a week. The esophagus commonly develops ulcers as a result, but it’s not just soft tissue that is harmed by stomach acid. Tooth enamel also dissolves when repeatedly exposed, and over time, people with GERD develop teeth that are sensitive, discolored, and misshapen enough to impact their bite function.

Changes in diet are usually necessary for controlling acid reflux. Fried meats, cheese, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and foods and drinks which are themselves highly acidic, such as garlic and tomato juice, are all contributors, but patients should avoid eating anything in large quantities immediately before lying down at night. For cases in which acid reflux has already caused enamel erosion, we have natural-colored fillings and partial crown restorations.

Scott Seier, DDS, operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.