Silver Fillings – Saying Goodbye to an Old Tradition

Patients over the age of forty may have, or have had a silver filling or two over the years.  Once a highly used restorative material – amalgam or silver fillings no longer claim top shelf with patients or dentists due to the availability of more esthetically suitable and less controversial materials.  Silver fillings have become controversial in recent decades and for more than one reason.  Considered bio-hazardous waste, you do have to question whether it belongs in the body – add to the controversy the material’s unique ability to expand and contract with varying temperatures.  It’s the expansion of the material that causes the walls of a tooth to become stressed and over time be more at risk for breaking.  Now throw a cherry on the top and consider the color of silver fillings – not exactly a great cosmetic option!  There may be many reasons to want to replace old silver fillings – but is there a time when you need to replace them?

Nothing Lasts Forever – Even Silver Fillings

Though amalgam restorations are incredibly strong and durable – even they have an expiration date.  Interestingly, sometimes it’s the tooth that gives out prior to the material failing – this is due to the weakening impact amalgam can have on teeth as it expands.  But even if your teeth are fully intact – replacing silver fillings is recommended when they develop pits and cracks and show signs of the margins no longer ‘fitting the tooth’.  If your dentist can catch the margin of an amalgam filling with an explorer it’s time to consider replacing the material – as bacteria can seep in to margins and cracks and cause decay to form under and around the filling.

Regular dental exams are the perfect opportunity for your NE Calgary Dentist to check your existing fillings and make any recommendations for replacement.  If silver fillings are intact and not showing signs of wear it may be best to leave them alone – unless you are bothered by their color – in which case you can consider replacement with a tooth colored material.

Wondering if your silver fillings need replacing?  Talk to the General Dentists at Discover Dental today 403.285.0222

The post Is It Time To Replace Your Silver Fillings? appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

Removing Wisdom Teeth

It’s normal to be a little nervous when facing any dental procedure – but Dental Extractions do seem to induce more trepidation compared to a regular dental cleaning.  The good news is that removing teeth is a straight forward treatment, commonly performed several times a day by General Dentists, Oral Surgeons and Periodontists.  Losing a tooth is never a happy occasion – but if the tooth is infected, fractured, decayed or causing damage to a person’s dental health – then removing the tooth is sometimes the best course of action.  When it comes to Removing Wisdom Teeth, these large 3rd molars that are located at the very back of the mouth, don’t always have enough room to fully erupt and can end up being more of a bother than a welcome addition.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

We’ve already mentioned that in some cases these large molars are just too big (or the mouth is too small) to erupt in to place.  When the eruption of wisdom teeth is hampered due to inadequate space they are known to push on molars in front of them – causing a domino effect where teeth start to tip or shift towards the front of the mouth.  When patients notice front teeth starting to move and become crooked – this can be because of wisdom teeth trying to erupt and literally pushing other teeth out of the way.  Removing wisdom teeth that are causing crowding protects an otherwise healthy bite and prevents significant damage being done to the roots of other molars.  Trying to keep teeth that don’t have enough room to erupt fully can lead to infection, decay and considerable amount of discomfort.

Does Everyone Need Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental in Falconridge acknowledge that not every patient requires their wisdom teeth to be extracted.  If the mouth can accommodate the eruption of these molars and a patient’s bite is not negatively influenced by additional teeth, then leaving these teeth in the mouth may be an option.  What is noted is that due to wisdom teeth being located at the back of the mouth; keeping these teeth clean can be challenging, and gum inflammation and decay is a common concern.

Need your Wisdom Teeth Extracted but want more information – contact Discover Dental today 403.285.0222

All procedures performed by General Dentists.

The post Need Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted? appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.