Often, with only the slightest symptoms, it is possible and even probable to overlook what is actually happening. The 10-20 year old silver filling gradually causes microfractures in the tooth's enamel. Fluctuation of temperature from hot to cold has different effects on different materials, ie. silver fillings and enamel.These changes promote tooth fractures. Here, we replaced the silver filling with a bonded onlay. This white restoration will support the tooth because it is bonded. It will pro...

This Patient presented to our New York city office with pain on biting and sensitivity to hot and cold. This is a classic presentation of a fractured tooth. Often, the fractures are not clearly visible and may not show up at all on x-ray. We must diagnose this entirely by symptoms present.

This Patient presented with sensitivity to biting and sensitivity to hot and cold.These symptoms usually are diagnostic of an internal fracture withing the tooth. Since silver amalgams expand at different rates than tooth structure, the constant fatigue on a daily basis can create cracks within the tooth ,around the old silver filling. Here we replace the silver filling with a "white filling" or restoration known as a bonded onlay. Onlays can be made of reinforced resin or porcelain. Both last f...

Replacing silver fillings for no reason is , in my opinion, inexcusable. There certainly is a time and place to replace them. Symptoms of thermal sensitivity along with pain on biting could signify an internal fracture. If this tooth is supported with a bonded onlay, the tooth can be saved from serious damage, resulting in root canal treatment, crowns or worse, extractions. Here are just a couple examples