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Having a Filling Replaced:Ok, going to the dentist is near the top of the list in terms of what adults hate the most. I've always been apprehensive about dental visits but recently I had a procedure done that wasn't all that bad. Normally, getting a cavity filled requires drilling (the deeper the cavity the more drilling). I was told I would need a filling replaced and the sooner we did it the better. When dental fillings go bad there is the chance that bacteria and food can get underneath the filling and do plenty of damage to the remaining tooth. My fillings had started to "curl" up on the ends and it was only a matter of time before I needed to replace them. I decided to get the procedure done and hope for the best. There is always a chance that when they remove an older filling, that there is tooth damage beyond repair and a crown could be necessary. Usually tooth x-rays can determine that ahead of time.
* Fillings Fall Out - This happens all the time. A filling can fracture from chewing too hard or the tooth itself can be compromised causing the filling to fall out. The bond that once held the filling to the remaining tooth may not have been strong originally and over time the filling loosens to the point where it eventually falls out. * Leaking Fillings - This is what I had (or potentially could have had). The sides of my fillings didn't fit as snugly as before and my dentist was getting concerned. Saliva and food debris can enter between the tooth and filling causing tooth decay and sensitivity. * Cracked Fillings - If you have a cracked filling, there is a chance you can just repair it, but most likely it will have to be replaced. Both composite fillings and amalgam have the ability to crack over time. Sometimes just the force of your biting and chewing can crack a filling. Your dentist can guide you on what your options are. * Worn Out Fillings - As we mentioned above, it may not be that anything went wrong with your filling except that age has rendered it compromised. After 15 years of chewing and biting even teeth show some wear and tear. If you get 15 years on a dental filling, count your blessings and move on. Tooth colored fillings (composite) also may developed things like stains or discoloration over time and some people get them replaced even for this reason. Make sure you get your 6 month dental visits and consult with your dentist on what is best for your situation. Most dental work is not needed immediately. I know my dentist had been talking to me about this issue for almost a year before I did anything about it.
How much does it cost to have a dental filling replace?:The good news is that the procedure is relatively short and the cost is minimal. In my research online, I found the average cost to be about $200. I ended up paying $250 at my dentists office, but that is the going rate in my region. You could probably save a few bucks by forgoing the novocaine but I don't advise that. The procedure took about 30 minutes - get the novocaine shot and let the jaw numb for about 5 minutes and then drill to get out the bad filling. Then put in the new composite filling to replace the old one. Sometimes they have to drill down a bit to get rid of some of the tooth is any section of it has been compromised with leaking saliva. Still, this is only a few seconds worth of discomfort and then they fill it. Out of all the actual tooth procedures I've had done, this was the easiest and quickest.
Dental Filling Replacement vs Dental Crown:Sometimes if the filling needs replacement your dentist may warn you that the tooth is so far gone that the only choice is a dental crown. One of my teeth had to have this done since the dentist I went to as a teenager had been a "deep driller" and when he filled a molar cavity he took out a lot of tooth to be cautious. This led to me having to get a crown on my molar instead of a replacement filling because not enough tooth was left over. My dentist said this is more common that one might think. Worst case scenario is that the excessive leaking of saliva and debris have left the remaining tooth in terrible condition under the filling and a root canal is necessary. My brother had this happen on one of his molars. He went in for a procedure to get the filling removed and a temporary crown done only find out once the filling was removed that a root canal was necessary. That is worst case and something most of us will not have to deal with. A crown will cost upwards of $1000 and a root canal is probably another $400 to $800 beyond that.
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