Old fillings have a service life too
Over the years fillings wear down, their margins leak and new decay can develop underneath. Timely replacement protects the tooth from more serious damage.
Common symptoms and situations
- A darkened margin around an old filling
- A chipped filling or tooth
- Food or floss catching in the same spot
- Sensitivity around a previously filled tooth
What happens at the consultation
We assess the condition of the old restoration and whether replacement is genuinely necessary — stable, well-sealed fillings are not replaced merely because of their age.
How treatment works
- Assessment of the old restoration
- Careful removal
- Cleaning of any decay beneath it
- A new restoration matched to the size of the defect
Benefits and limitations
Replacement removes leaking and damaged restorations before they lead to deeper problems. If the defect turns out larger, a more extensive restoration may be needed — we'll discuss it with you before continuing.
Treatment suitability and results depend on your individual clinical case and are determined after an examination.