Small areas of tooth decay and minor physical defects in a tooth’s enamel layer can often be repaired with a simple amalgam or composite dental filling. Once it has been bonded in place the newly repaired tooth will last for many years.
If you struggle to maintain a consistent daily oral hygiene regimen, or you have a bad habit of putting off your routine dental checkups the bond between the dental filling and the surrounding tooth enamel might start to weaken. In time the dental filling could start to loosen and potentially fall out.
In a situation like this, you need to seek treatment from a dentist like Dr. Macon Sapp to prevent further complications. After a thorough examination of the tooth, he will present you with the necessary treatment method.
If the void left by the missing dental filling is large, Dr. Macon Sapp will likely recommend a crown restoration. This involves removing all the tooth’s enamel layer to prepare an abutment from the dentin layer. This will eventually anchor the dental crown in your mouth.
Once this is done Dr. Macon Sapp will prepare a detailed impression of the area. This will include the shape and position of the abutment as well as the related teeth in your bite pattern. It will be sent to a dental lab to serve as a guide their dental technicians while they create your dental crown.
A brief second appointment will be necessary when your new crown is ready. Dr. Macon Sapp will carefully cement it in place with a strong dental adhesive.
If you have a tooth with a bad filling and you live in the Durham, North Carolina, area, you should call 919-489-9171 to have it treated at H.T. Macon Sapp, DDS.