An Existing Filling with a New Cavity Might Need a Crown Restoration

A filling can typically be used to repair a cavity on a tooth. While this is intended to repair the tooth for a significant stretch of time, no filling is impervious. Any inconsistencies in your daily oral hygiene routine, or a lack of regular attendance to your routine dental exam, increase the chances of the bacteria in your mouth exploiting the relationship between the filling and the surrounding tooth enamel.

Sometimes, the bacteria can gradually work their way into the seam along the edge of the filling, weakening the bond with the tooth enamel. Once they have established a presence, a new cavity could form deep within the enamel layer. When this happens, you might notice heightened sensitivity or a gray color in the tooth.

Oftentimes a tooth in this condition isn’t viable for repair with a new filling, and Dr. Schmitz, Dr. Fickas , Dr. Fabiano and Dr. Biggerstaff will likely recommend replacing the tooth enamel layer with a dental crown.

This is a restorative treatment method designed to replace the entire tooth enamel layer with a replica cast from an artificial material. Crowns are typically made from either porcelain, gold, or an alloy of base metals.

For a tooth that is highly visible in your smile, they will likely recommend a porcelain dental crown. Since it can be shaded to match natural tooth enamel, it will be indistinguishable from the neighboring teeth.

If you live in the Newburgh, Indiana, area and you have a tooth with a suspect filling, you should call 812-853-3313 to seek timely treatment at Family Dentistry with our dentists.