Signs It's Time to Have an Old Filling Replaced

Dental fillings give you a way to stop tooth decay in its tracks and restore the affected tooth so you can continue to eat, talk, and smile normally. They’re a powerful dental tool, but they don’t last forever. 

Fillings typically last about a decade. Their longevity depends on a range of factors, from the type of filling you have to your personal habits. If you grind your teeth at night, for example, that usually means your filling will need to be replaced sooner.

Fortunately, Thomas D. Sokoly, DDS, and our team can help in two ways here. First, at every dental exam, Dr. Sokoly checks your filling to see if there are any signs of needing replacement. Secondly, if it does, he offers tooth-colored fillings to patients here at Sokoly Dental in Washington, DC. This way, your new filling won’t be a cosmetic distraction. 

Here are a few signs it might be time for a new filling. 

1. Pain, including hot and/or cold sensitivity 

Over time, your filling can shift out of place. That might allow leaking, in which food, drinks, and bacteria get in under the filling. You might have increased sensitivity to heat or cold as liquids come into contact with the sensitive part of your tooth under your filling.

You also might notice pain that’s localized to the area around that tooth. If it’s uncomfortable to chew on that side of your mouth or you have persistent pain there, it’s a sign that Dr. Sokoly should take a look. 

2. Looseness

If you can feel the filling moving at all, it needs replacement. Whether you can nudge it with your tongue or you feel a moving sensation as you eat, a loose filling is one step away from falling out. 

That will leave the inner part of your tooth exposed, which usually causes discomfort when you eat. It also means bacteria can attack that sensitive inner part of your tooth. 

3. Cosmetic annoyance

Maybe your old filling isn’t bothering you physically, but you don’t like the look of it. If it’s time to replace your filling anyway (i.e., if it’s been about a decade), ask Dr. Sokoly if you’re a candidate for replacement. 

By taking out a dark-colored filling and replacing it with a tooth-colored one, he can eliminate a part of your smile that bothers you. 

4. Your dentist tells you it’s time

Your dentist can spot problems with your filling that you can’t see with your naked eye. That’s why regular dental exams are particularly important once you get a filling. 

With consistent oral healthcare, you get a way to address problems early — before they become painful or your filling is at risk for falling out. 

Whether your filling is bothering you or you’re due for a biannual dental exam, we’re here to help. Contact our Washington, DC, office today by phone or online to schedule an appointment.