At the North Carolina Center for Aesthetic Dentistry, our entire team is dedicated to promoting your optimal dental health! This is why we often suggest to patients that they consider using a proactive rather than reactive approach to replacing their outdated silver amalgam fillings. In today’s blog post, we discuss why you may benefit from doing so!
Your dentist in Raleigh, NC, Dr. James Harold has seen broken teeth resulting from failing old amalgam silver fillings more times than we can count! The reason metal fillings sometimes lead to fractured teeth is because they expand and contract microscopically over time with temperature changes in the mouth. This continuous force weakens the enamel walls of teeth, and eventually fracture lines grow and deepen, often resulting in broken teeth. Usually, the only option to restore the tooth when this happens is a crown, and sometimes more extensive treatment including root canal therapy is necessary!
So, while it may go against the grain to replace a filling in a tooth without symptoms, doing so can facilitate a more conservative approach. By taking out the old silver amalgam before it causes breakage, and then replacing it with tooth-colored resin or a bonded porcelain inlay or onlay, valuable tooth structure can be preserved and the tooth can be strengthened! An added benefit of doing this is the enhanced appearance of tooth-colored restorations, which are nearly indistinguishable from natural tooth structure.
So, for the health and beauty of your smile, your expert dentist in Raleigh, NC, Dr. Harold suggests you schedule a consultation in our office to discuss silver amalgam replacement options. We can’t wait to hear from you!
