“Do cavities ever need to be refilled?”
A cavity that I got filled over a year ago is causing me a lot of pain. Is it possible that cavities need to be refilled after some time?
21 Answers
If the filling is at close proximity to the nerve, it can cause pain. Sometimes it compromises the quality of life (the patient avoids eating on that side, or generally avoids eating certain foods). In those cases, the patient can get a root canal therapy. Sometimes the pain comes because the filling is too hyper. Have it evaluated.
It is possible you have developed either a crack under the filling or recurrent decay under or around the filling. Grinding your teeth at night can also cause sensitivity. I would advise a dental appointment and X-ray to confirm or rule out these conditions.
Yes, you can get recurrent cavity on the same tooth around your filling.
Doing any restoration because of decay or a cavity cannot guarantee the avoidance of secondary decay underneath the existing filling or on the margin of restoration. After secondary decay is found, the existing filling should be replaced or re-filled. For a better understanding of the reason for the filling, we need to know the mechanism behind the appearance of decay.
More explanation is available at my website page "Ask Your Dentist" https://www.atozdentalcare.com/ask-your-dentist/
However, people who have any kind of restoration done, such as crown or filling, should be more concerned for their restored teeth than naturally intact teeth. Regular checkups and dental monitoring can prevent any more damage to their teeth.
More explanation is available at my website page "Ask Your Dentist" https://www.atozdentalcare.com/ask-your-dentist/
However, people who have any kind of restoration done, such as crown or filling, should be more concerned for their restored teeth than naturally intact teeth. Regular checkups and dental monitoring can prevent any more damage to their teeth.
It is possible if the filling restorative material is affected by recurrent decay.
If you're experiencing pain, go back to your dentist and have the tooth evaluated for root canal therapy. You could be experiencing a nerve which is dying.
Feelings in the back of the mouth generally last 7 years before they begin to undergo marginal breakdown and begin to actually leak bacteria. Front Teeth are necessary to evaluate about every 4 years if they have composite or resin restoration which are tooth colored. This of course would be taken into account if you maintain routine 6 month check ups with your dentist.
Nothing lasts forever. Fillings do need to be replaced. They usually leak or break down after several years.
Trey Miller
Amarillo, TX
Yes, sometimes cavities need to be re-filled. Even the very best restorations have a certain time limitation for ideal function in the mouth. Fillings are constantly exposed to bacteria, chewing forces, and temperature swings in the mouth, all of which can cause the filling to wear out. If your dentist sees signs of additional decay around your filling the formed since the last one was placed, cracking or chipping of the old restoration, or microleakage occurring with your current filling, a new restoration is indicated.
Your pain could be due to any number of issues, some of which can be addressed without necessitating a new restoration. Schedule an appointment with your dentist soon to determine the best solution for your problem.
Your pain could be due to any number of issues, some of which can be addressed without necessitating a new restoration. Schedule an appointment with your dentist soon to determine the best solution for your problem.
Yes, fillings do need to be replaced over time. If it’s only been a year there could be other things going on with the tooth. If your in pain it could be that the filling has cracked, come loose or there could be a problem with the nerve of the tooth and additional treatment needed. The only way to know is to have a dental professional examine the tooth and take an X-ray.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Cavities can be filled with a variety of materials, but basically there are the direct and indirect materials. Direct materials include silver amalgam and its tooth colored composite which is primarily acrylic plastic. They are placed in a single visit making them relatively cheap in the short term but on the average last only nine years making them expensive in the long term. Indirect restorations are gold and its tooth colored alternative ceramic. These are more difficult and time consuming to make but they last indefinitely, especially gold. Therefore the initial cost and health benefits are greater but the long term cost is less.
If you are having a lot of pain, it is possible that the filling could be leaking or the original filling may have been close to the nerve and over time it has been irritated enough to cause the nerve to start to die and thus cause you pain.
Yes, it is common to redo cavities. In fact, that is one of the most important things that is accomplished on a dental exam. I have found that many dentists do not check underneath fillings for recurrent decay, which often leads to root canal. In your case, where you have a lot of pain after he filling, the redoing may be due to some other reason. I advise you to ask your dentist if he sees any decay under fillings and, if yes, to redo that filling.
Hello there,
Yes, there is a possibility of them needing to be redone after a year depending on how deep it was from the get go and your diet and hygiene. Nothing can give you a 100% seal, so there is always some micro leakage happening. If you do take a lot of acidic food/drink like sodas, carbs, etc., they can cause decay below the filling, too. If you don’t take care of your oral hygiene, then that would be an issue, too. It’s all dealing with bacteria. Sometimes it can just be genetics. So, do your part and visit your dentist regularly so these can be checked and keep smiling :)
Yes, there is a possibility of them needing to be redone after a year depending on how deep it was from the get go and your diet and hygiene. Nothing can give you a 100% seal, so there is always some micro leakage happening. If you do take a lot of acidic food/drink like sodas, carbs, etc., they can cause decay below the filling, too. If you don’t take care of your oral hygiene, then that would be an issue, too. It’s all dealing with bacteria. Sometimes it can just be genetics. So, do your part and visit your dentist regularly so these can be checked and keep smiling :)
Cavities may need to be refilled for a variety of reasons. It could be from poor home care (not flossing) causing the cavity to return, it could be that the filling was not properly prepared, or it could be that the filling has cracked. It is impossible to tell without having it looked at. The symptoms you are describing are more consistent with nerve pain in the tooth and it is possible that you may need Root Canal Therapy. You should see your dentist as soon as possible to make sure.
Fillings do not last forever! However, in this case it sounds like the cavity was close to the nerve in the tooth and it is just now showing symptoms. The tooth may need root canal treatment.
Let's clarify, fillings are done to remove cavities in teeth. They are redone if a new cavity develops under a filling that was done before which is possible if a patient is not taking good care of their teeth. If you are having pain, then it can be from a new cavity that has developed under the filling which should not be the case if it was only done a year ago OR the filling that was done was deep and close to the nerve of the tooth and the nerve now might be dying. Either way, you need to go to your dentist and get it checked. Hope this helps.
Hello,
All fillings have a finite lifespan, so they do need periodic replacement, on average every 8-10 years. However, if there is pain, that is not an indication to replace again, in fact the contrary. If symptoms worsen, that could be indication that the nerve is unable to recover, and hence a root canal could become necessary. Good luck.
Dr. Cyril Tahtadjian
All fillings have a finite lifespan, so they do need periodic replacement, on average every 8-10 years. However, if there is pain, that is not an indication to replace again, in fact the contrary. If symptoms worsen, that could be indication that the nerve is unable to recover, and hence a root canal could become necessary. Good luck.
Dr. Cyril Tahtadjian
Yes. Seems like you should revisit the dentist for a revaluation of this tooth.
This is a possible scenario although 1 year is a short period for a properly placed filling. They commonly last from 3 years and up to 15 depending on the cavity size and location. The reason for your discomfort might be chipped or leaking filling.
Fillings do wear out. However, a tooth in a lot of pain may have more involved needs. A tooth can crack, that would hurt during biting and chewing. If the decay was deep, the nerve or pulp of the tooth can deteriorate and develop an abscess. See a dentist soon, immediately if there is any swelling in your mouth.
