Dental fillings are designed to restore damaged teeth, but they are not necessarily permanent.
Over time, fillings can wear, chip, crack, or develop changes around their edges. The natural tooth surrounding a filling can also develop new decay.
You may not always notice when an older filling begins to have a problem. Sometimes the first signs are sensitivity, discomfort when biting, food becoming trapped, or a rough edge. In other cases, changes may only be identified during a dental examination or on an X-ray.
Regular checkups allow your dentist to monitor existing dental work and determine whether it remains functional.
An older filling does not automatically need replacement simply because of its age. Treatment should be based on its current condition and the health of the surrounding tooth.
At Port Moody Smile Dental, we assess existing restorations as part of routine dental care and can discuss options if a filling requires repair or replacement.