If you are like me, when you spend your time and money on a product or service you expect a good return on your investment. Even so, you do anticipate that your purchase will eventually have to be replaced due to wear and tear. This can happen to dental restorations, too. But why is this so?
Some Causes of Restoration Failure
Here are a few of the reasons even the most carefully completed restorations can fail:
Additional Decay Beneath or Around a Filling, Crown, or Bridge
Additional decay can undermine the integrity of the restoration. A filling can become loosened and crowns and bridges can fail when their support structure is weakened from additional decay.
Mistreatment or Trauma to Restorations
Habits that include biting into extremely hard substances or using teeth as tools can damage restorations. Accidental impacts to the teeth, jaws, and face can fracture teeth and restorations alike. Sometimes the effects of mistreatment and trauma are immediate, painful, and obvious, while other times the effects build over time.
Underlying Health and Lifestyle Habits
Smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and poor diet are known to adversely affect oral health by contributing to gum disease and tooth decay. Some underlying health conditions and certain medications can also adversely affect oral health and need to be monitored.
Bone Loss
Untreated gum disease can lead to bone loss around the roots of teeth, causing them to loosen. If the tooth cannot be saved, any restorations that rely upon that tooth for support may also be lost.
The Importance of Routine Oral Hygiene and Dental Exams
The most important thing you can do to preserve your oral health is to practice excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily to remove plaque and bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
Routine cleaning and regular checkups can help preserve the dental restorations you have had done and even catch potential issues early. If you need dental restorations, or have issues with prior restorations, call my office today to schedule an appointment to let me and our team take care of you!
Best,
Dr. Radkey
