What Can Damage Dental Fillings and Crowns?

Here at Eagle Gate Dental, our goal is to ensure that every patient of ours has a smile that's healthy and beautiful. It's something that we pride ourselves on, and it's helped us build a strong reputation for dental care in the Salt Lake City area.

We use the latest restorative dentistry techniques and procedures to help addressed gum and tooth problems. Sometimes, however, there's an issue with the restorative treatment. With that in mind, let's consider what happens when you have a damaged dental restoration.

Why Damaged Restorations Should Be Taken Seriously

When you have a dental filling, inlay, onlay, or crown that is damaged, it can lead to a whole host of problems. For one, a damaged restoration means that the tooth structure is now weakened, making additional injury and decay more likely. The damaged restoration can actually cause pain due to the change in fit, even when simply biting and chewing soft foods. A damaged restoration can even increase your risk of a root canal infection if you are not careful.

Contact and Combat Sports

Contact sports (such as football and hockey) and combat sports (such as boxing and MMA) can both lead to serious injuries if people are not careful. In addition to potentially causing damaged teeth or missing teeth, these kinds of physical activities can also lead to damaged restorations. Whenever engaged in these activities, be sure to wear the proper mouth, face, and/or head protection.

Physical Trauma from Accidents

If you have a serious slip and fall, or if you are involved in a serious vehicle collision, you run the risk of having a damaged dental restoration. This is particularly true if you land on your head or experience a direct blow to the mouth.

Biting on Hard Objects

This can happen to even the most careful among us. Sometimes while having a handful of popcorn, you may not notice an unpopped kernel. Similarly, a small fragment of bone may be in that beef stew. If you bite down on an object that's stiff or hard, it can do major damage to a dental restoration. The same goes for using your teeth to help open packaging. Placing all that stress on a restoration can prove disastrous.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Teeth grinding occurs when people are asleep and their teeth cannot find a comfortable resting position. When this occurs, the teeth shift, clench, and press against each other in such a way that wear and tear may be the result. This grinding can do damage to your regular teeth as well as your dental restorations.

Major Wear and Tear

While fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns are quite durable, they are still able to be worn down and affected by normal biting and chewing over the years. At some point, dental restorations will need to be replaced given the toll that time takes on all things

Fixing Damaged Dental Restorations

Thankfully the repair or replacement of a damaged restoration is rather straightforward. The old restoration is removed and carefully prepped, allowing for a new restoration to be placed. The ideal type of restoration and the materials used can be discussed during the consultation process.

Learn More About Damaged Dental Restorations

For more information about fixing dental restorations and restoring the health and wellness of your smile, be sure to contact our advanced family dentistry center today. The team at Eagle Gate Dental is here to help you improve your overall dental health and wellness.