Removal of old fillings and replaced with new ones

lastlaugh

Hi,

I'm due to have two old amalgum fillings removed and replaced with new ones.

Is this a standard procedure and are there any risks involved, like the trauma to the tooth causing the root to die?

Or maybe it's a straight forward thing (fingers crossed).

Embaressingly, I've left it over 12 years since I had been to the Dentists, I've had one molar pulled recently and am eager to change my neglectful ways and keep what I have left!

Thoie

Not a dentist, but I've had old fillings removed and replaced with new ones - fairly straightforward. From my perspective not any different than getting a filling in the first place. Based purely on sound (as I keep my eyes closed!) they drill out the old filling, and a bit of the tooth and then put a new filling in.

In my case the old filling needed to be taken out as more decay had started between the filling and the tooth.

DaveTwenty7

It is a standard procedure but like any it has risks.
Whenever we remove a filling we also remove some tooth (this is always kept to a minimum) but due to this the new cavity is slightly larger therefore the tooth is slightly weaker. Also there is always a risk that the nerve will not tolerate the drilling and may die (requiring root canal treatment or extraction). This is probably the worst case scenario and is only a risk if the filling to be placed is very large and there is decay in the tooth.
Best to ask the dentist prior to procedure

lastlaugh

Thanks fo your reply Dave,

I don't think the existing fillings are especially large.

If you were in my position, what would you ask as replacements, given that I don't really care about the aesthectics, more almagams?

Cheers.

digzy

if it aint broke dont fix it!