3 Problems That Might Plague Your Dental Restoration

Dental restorations should last for a long time, but they don't always do. Different issues might affect your dental restoration and necessitate its repair or replacement. Below are three examples of these issues.

Restoration Wear

Dental restorations are subject to wear and tear, some more than others. Restoration wear is bad because it weakens the materials, reducing its teeth-strengthening function and increasing the risk of dental caries.

The dentist will evaluate the location and extent of the wear to determine the appropriate intervention. For example, a repair is possible for limited wear on an exposed part of the tooth, such as the occlusal surface. However, extensive wear on difficult-to-reach surfaces, such as those between the teeth, calls for restoration replacement.

Fracture

Fracture as a restoration failure occurs in three major ways. The first is the fracture of restoration material, the second is the fracture of the restored teeth, and the last is the fracture of the adjacent teeth. You can suffer one or multiple forms of these fractures.

Possible causes of tooth or restoration fracture include:

• Occlusal overload (excessive bite forces)
• Dental trauma
• Para-functional activities, such as regular teeth grinding and clenching

Restoration fracture weakens the restoration and exposes the tooth to damage. Tooth fracture weakens the teeth and increases their risk of diseases, further damage, and loss. Thus, all forms of fractures require intervention.

The dentist may repair minimal restoration fracture; extreme fracture calls for restoration replacement. Damaged adjacent teeth may also require restoration, for example, with a crown or bonding material.

Discoloration

Restoration discoloration issues arise in two main ways. First, you might end up with a restoration that does not match the other teeth's color due to an incorrect shade choice during installation. Secondly, you might have discolored restoration due to post-restoration staining. For example, poor dental hygiene and consumption of discolored foods can cause such staining.

The discoloration is usually a cosmetic issue, so an intervention may only be necessary if the discolored surface is visible. For example, discolorations on front restorations are likely to be more visible than discolorations on posterior restorations.

If you need treatment, the dentist may resurface the restoration and improve its aesthetics. Dentists reserve restoration replacement for extensive staining that resurfacing cannot improve much.

Hopefully, you won't have any problems with your dental restorations. Contact your dentist for help if you suspect something is wrong with your restoration. The dentist will diagnose the problem and determine whether it warrants a restoration repair or replacement.