Fillings are commonly made from materials like composite, amalgam, gold or dental-grade porcelain. They are typically used to repair a tooth suffering from a small cavity or a chip in the tooth enamel. As time goes by, the natural bacteria in your mouth can work to weaken the bond between the filling and the surrounding tooth enamel. This can quicken if you fail to maintain a consistent daily oral hygiene regimen.
Most of the time, a distressed filling will be detected during your regular dental exam at Michael P. Gaudio, D.M.D.. If you happen to notice a filling with heightened sensitivity or other signs of distress in between checkups, you shouldn’t delay in seeking treatment.
Sometimes Dr. Michael P. Gaudio can treat the problem by removing the bad filling along with any affected tooth enamel in the area. Then, he can apply a new filling. If the filling was large or if a new cavity has formed, Dr. Michael P. Gaudio might recommend a total dental crown restoration.
This typically requires two separate appointments. During your first appointment, Dr. Michael P. Gaudio will numb the area and use a drill to remove all the tooth enamel. This leaves behind an abutment that contains the dentin, pulp, and root of the tooth.
Dr. Michael P. Gaudio will create a detailed impression of the area to serve as a guide for an off-site dental lab where your new crown will be made. A hard, plastic, temporary crown will be secured over the abutment to protect it.
When your new crown is ready, a member of our Michael P. Gaudio, D.M.D. staff will call you to schedule a brief follow-up appointment. Once the potent dental cement has bonded the crown to the abutment, the fully restored tooth can serve you for many years ahead.
If you live in the Wallingford, Connecticut, area and you have a tooth suffering with a distressed filling, you should call 203-265-3355 to have it treated by Dr. Michael P. Gaudio.