Modern dental restorations are designed to last for decades, sometimes even a lifetime. However, daily wear and tear, teeth grinding, and age can all affect the longevity of a dental repair. If you fit into any of the following categories, it’s time to talk to your Hampton dentist about upgrading your smile.

1. You have silver fillings.

Silver amalgam fillings get the job done when you have a cavity, but these restorations come with plenty of drawbacks.

  • Weakened teeth: Silver fillings may repair a cavity but, over time, they compromise the tooth in which they’re housed. This type of filling expands and can cause your tooth to weaken or become more damaged over time.
  • Toxic: Dental amalgam contains mercury, which is toxic. While the amounts are not great, the more silver fillings you have the more mercury that’s in your mouth and, eventually, the rest of your system.
  • Unsightly: If you don’t want people to know you had dental work done, silver fillings will not help your case. They scream “I had a cavity” or “I needed my tooth fixed.”

Upgrading to tooth-colored fillings means your teeth will have enamel-colored restorations that blend in and match the rest of your smile. The composite resin’s malleable composition also allows a tooth to be filled more easily which means you can keep more of your natural tooth structure, creating a healthier tooth.

2. Your dentures are loose.

Dentures are supposed to fit comfortably and snugly in your mouth so they allow you to bite, eat, and speak with confidence. Unfortunately, a full denture also covers the palate of your mouth and, as time passes, the muscles and jawbone underneath the denture can change, altering the fit of the denture.

If you find yourself struggling with dentures that slip out of place too often, it may be time for new dentures or, even better, a more secure and long-lasting dental restoration for replacing missing teeth. One of the most popular choices among patients today is dental implants. Surgically implanted in the jawbone, dental implants replace both tooth root and crown for a complete, permanent restoration that looks and feels like a natural teeth – and eliminates the need for denture adhesive.

3. Your dental crown doesn’t look the same.

When you get a dental crown, it’s usually meant to cover a tooth after root canal therapy, anchor a dental bridge, or repair a damaged, decayed, or unsightly tooth. Crowns preserve a tooth and improve its robustness so it can work like a natural tooth and blend in with the rest of your smile. Dental crowns can, potentially, last a lifetime. However, there are signs that indicate when a crown might need to be replaced or repaired, like a dark margin along the gum line or damage from teeth grinding and clenching.

If you are experiencing any discomfort in your teeth and gums, or are having trouble with an existing dental restoration, schedule an appointment with Smiles by the Sea, your family dentistry practice in Hampton, New Hampshire. Contact us today.