Many of us have metal restorations from the days when they were the only commonly used materials available. However, as dentistry has moved away from the use of metal restorations, you may be wondering whether you should remove your metal restorations or leave them in. Although metal restorations may be highly durable and can last for many years, there are many reasons why you might want to take them out.
Does the Appearance Bother You?
One of the simplest reasons to remove metal restorations is that they can be very unattractive. If nothing else, they stand out and tell everyone that you’ve had a lot of tooth decay repaired. And the mere presence of metal makes you look older and poorer, since metal is mostly used these days as a cheap repair alternative.
Another problem is that even relatively small metal amalgam fillings in a tooth can make them completely discolored as the mercury permeates through the tooth.
And sometimes gum irritation from metal restorations can make them inflamed or even cause your gums to recede.
If you don’t like the appearance of your metal restorations, then it’s probably time to remove them.
Are Your Teeth Sensitive?
Metal restorations can trigger tooth sensitivity. That’s because metal isn’t good at insulating your teeth from changes in temperature. In fact, they conduct heat very well, bringing temperature changes deep into your teeth.
Metal can also expand and contract with heat changes. This can make your teeth even more sensitive because it combines pressure with heat, which can really hurt.
If your teeth are sensitive to temperature changes thanks to metal restorations, it’ probably a good time to have them removed.
Are Your Gums Irritated?
Metal restorations can cause gum irritation. This can start out with your gums turning red and inflamed. However, if left unaddressed, it can lead to receding gums. So if your gums are irritated near metal restorations, it might be a good idea to remove the restorations before they cause too much damage.
Are the Restorations Failing?
Metal restorations can last a long time, but they can also fail. Typically, the failure results from decay occurring around the restoration. This may be unrelated to the metal, although metal amalgam fillings can cause percolation that can intensify decay.
Once decay starts to appear around or under your metal restorations, it’s time to replace them. And if you’re replacing some of them, it might be a good idea to replace others so you can achieve a beautiful new smile.
What about Mysterious Illnesses?
Some people want to blame illnesses like fibromyalgia and others that haven’t been identified yet as being the caused by metal restorations, including metal amalgam fillings. There has been no proven link between metal restorations and these illnesses, but some people do report improvement after having metal restorations removed.
You should talk to your doctor first before deciding whether this is the right procedure for you.
Are You Looking for an Expert Dentist to Replace Restorations?
If you decide that you want to have your metal restorations removed in the Hilton Head area, please call (843) 706-2999 today for an appointment with a cosmetic dentist at Beyond Exceptional Dentistry.
