Fillings, crowns, and bridges play a vital role in helping us maintain our dental function and appearance after injury or decay. While these restorations often last for many years, none of them will last forever. Over time, these materials wear down, break, or lose their fit, which quickly leads to more serious dental problems if left unaddressed. We encourage proactive care and open communication with our patients to make sure every smile stays healthy and comfortable. By recognizing the early signs that restorations need replacement, you can act quickly, prevent discomfort, and avoid more complex dental treatments.
Let’s look at the lifespan of dental work and what can influence how long your restorations last. Your habits—such as daily oral hygiene, the types of foods you eat, and teeth grinding—make a significant difference. For example, a patient who brushes and flosses consistently will typically notice their dental work lasts longer than someone who struggles with routine care. Chewing hard objects or using your teeth as tools can also shorten the lifespan. Regular dental check-ups allow us to closely monitor your restorations, but your own awareness matters just as much. In this article, we’ll explain the most common signs that signal your old dental work may need replacement and how timely care protects your smile.
Visible Wear, Cracks, or Damage
Apparent physical damage provides critical clues when dental work needs replacement. Every day, activities like chewing, teeth grinding (bruxism), and eating hot or cold foods put pressure on fillings, crowns, and bridges. Over the years, you might notice visual changes:
- Cracks forming in crowns or fillings
- Chips breaking away from a crown edge or filling
- Fractures splitting a restoration along the groove
- Worn-down fillings that look lower than the rest of your tooth
- Missing parts of a bridge or visible metal underneath porcelain
If you spot these changes, especially a crack running across a porcelain crown, act quickly. Damaged restorations do more than alter your appearance. Cracks and fractures allow bacteria to slip below the surface and attack the natural tooth, risking new cavities you might not see or feel until the problem becomes severe. A worn filling or chip can create rough patches, making it harder to keep the area clean.
You may also notice sensitivity when your tongue touches a sharp edge, or your floss gets caught where the filling used to meet the tooth. Repair or replacement using modern restorative dentistry protects the tooth from further harm and extends its healthy life. We have seen many cases where patients avoided more serious dental emergencies by coming in at the first sign of trouble.
Pain, Sensitivity, or Discomfort
Your mouth sends clear signals when something needs attention. Pain, sensitivity, or general discomfort in a tooth with old dental work often signals that something has changed. Sometimes, you notice a sharp pain only when you bite down. Other times, you experience a dull, ongoing ache or sudden jolts of sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
You might feel:
- Sharp pain during chewing or while eating certain foods
- A throbbing ache that lingers for hours
- Discomfort or tingling after eating cold or sweet foods
- Sensitivity that worsens over days or weeks
If you notice these sensations, your restoration may no longer seal the tooth properly. For example, a loose crown or filling with even a small gap lets bacteria slip beneath and irritate the sensitive dentin or nerve tissues. Decay can develop out of sight under the restoration, eventually leading to an infection and a toothache. Occasionally, a filling or crown will shift slightly, putting uneven pressure on the surrounding teeth and nerves.
Do not wait to take action. We recommend scheduling a dental exam quickly if you detect any new discomfort. In our practice, we use digital X-rays and thorough exams to spot the source of the problem. Early attention helps us relieve your pain and repair or replace the restoration before further damage occurs.
Changes in Your Bite or How Teeth Fit Together
A stable bite keeps your teeth healthy and your jaw functioning smoothly. If you start to notice any changes in how your teeth come together, the culprit is often an old filling, crown, or bridge that no longer maintains its original shape or position.
You may notice:
- A new high spot when you bite down
- Teeth that suddenly feel out of alignment
- Jaw aches or morning headaches from extra pressure
- Clicking or popping around your jaw joints
- New gaps between teeth where food gets trapped
- Difficulty chewing or feeling like something “just isn’t right.”
Sometimes, the filling or crown wears faster than the rest of your tooth structure, which causes your bite to change. Crowns, in particular, can shift or loosen slightly over time. Even small changes put extra stress on neighboring teeth or jaw muscles, sometimes causing pain, tension, or even TMJ (temporomandibular joint) discomfort. Uneven pressure often leads to cracks or chips in other teeth. Food impaction becomes a risk because gaps develop that weren’t there before, making it harder to keep your mouth free of plaque.
Don’t ignore uncomfortable changes in your bite. We can quickly evaluate your dental work and realign or replace the affected restoration to restore comfort and protect neighboring teeth. Addressing these shifts early may prevent more serious issues, such as tooth wear, chronic jaw pain, and gum disease.
Other Important Red Flags to Watch For
While physical damage, pain, and bite changes signal the most urgent problems, other, less obvious signs can indicate trouble with old dental work. Keep an eye out for:
- Discoloration or dark edges around a crown or filling
- A metallic or strange taste from old metal fillings
- Bleeding or swollen gums next to a restoration
- Food or floss catching at the margin of a filling or crown
- Shifting teeth, especially if you wear a bridge
Sometimes, old silver amalgam fillings corrode or break down, causing your tooth to darken or develop a blue-gray halo. Crowns might loosen slightly at the edges, allowing bacteria to access the tooth and cause subtle inflammation along the gum line. You might also start to feel that your bridge becomes less secure or notice movement when chewing.
If you observe any of these changes—even if they seem small—let us know during your next dental appointment. Proactive attention lets us address issues while they remain minor and reduces your risk of abrupt dental emergencies.
Take Action to Protect Your Healthy Smile
Your dental restorations require ongoing attention to stay effective. Regular care and periodic replacement preserve the work your dentist has done and support your long-term oral health. Start by watching for apparent damage, responding promptly to unusual sensations, and monitoring changes in your bite. Comprehensive dental exams allow us to find weak spots or wear before they create bigger problems.
Use these simple strategies to keep old dental work functioning well:
- Brush and floss gently around crowns, fillings, and bridges every day
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste
- Avoid chewing hard candies, ice, or pens
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
- Schedule routine visits every six months so we can assess your dental work
When you spot any changes mentioned above, don’t hesitate to contact us. Acting early helps us preserve your smile and prevent more costly, invasive treatments. We work closely with each patient to develop a preventive plan tailored to their needs, ensuring your restorations protect your health as long as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Dentistry
How long does dental work typically last?
A variety of factors determine how long your dental restorations last. For instance, silver amalgam fillings can last more than 15 years, while composite (tooth-colored) fillings usually last 5 to 10 years. Crowns and bridges often remain effective for 5 to 15 years or longer, especially if you carry out regular cleaning and check-ups. Personal habits play a role—brushing, flossing, diet, and teeth grinding all affect longevity. At each appointment, we check the condition of your fillings, crowns, and bridges to advise you when to replace them.
What happens if I don't replace old dental work?
If you ignore early warning signs and delay replacing worn fillings, crowns, or bridges, you risk a host of dental problems. Failing restorations allow bacteria to accumulate beneath the surface, leading to cavities, infections, and gum disease. Eventually, a tooth may develop deep decay or an abscess if leaks or cracks stay untreated. Restorations that break can also damage the tooth’s remaining structure or cause the tooth to split, which sometimes leads to extraction. Reacting early not only saves your natural teeth but also reduces discomfort and prevents complicated procedures down the road.
At Thomas Blake, DDS, we deliver reliable, high-quality care to support your family’s long-term dental health. We take the time to educate, guide, and support every patient, focusing on trust and clear communication. If you have questions about old dental work or wish to schedule a comprehensive check-up, please reach out to us to arrange your visit.