Potranco Family Dental Blog

Dental fillings are one of the most common restorative dental treatments, helping repair cavities and protect teeth from further damage. However, fillings aren’t designed to last forever. Depending on the material used and how well you care for your teeth, yours could last anywhere from several years to a couple of decades!

So, how do you know when a filling needs to be replaced? Let’s look at what affects its lifespan, the warning signs to watch for, and how to keep your restorations in good condition.

If you need a dental crown, you probably want it to look as natural as possible. After all, a crown is designed to restore your tooth while blending in with the rest of your smile. But how does your dentist know which shade is right for you?

Matching a crown to your natural teeth involves more than simply picking the closest color from a chart. Dentists consider several characteristics of your teeth, including their shade, brightness, translucency, and even the way they look under different lighting.

If you’ve had dental work for a while, there’s a good chance you have at least one old silver-colored filling. Dental amalgam has been used successfully for generations because it is durable, affordable, and effective at repairing teeth. But today, patients have more options, including tooth-colored composite fillings that blend naturally with their smiles.

So, should you replace your old metal fillings? The answer isn’t necessarily the same for everyone, but there are several reasons you may want to discuss replacement with your dentist.

Losing a dental filling is an unpleasant surprise. Whether it falls out while you’re eating, brushing your teeth, or seemingly for no reason at all, it’s important not to ignore it. A missing filling leaves your tooth vulnerable to damage, sensitivity, and infection. Taking the right steps can help protect your smile until you can visit your dentist.

When there’s a piece of food debris caught between your teeth, you’ll want to get rid of it as quickly as possible before it can lead to more serious oral health issues. However, you need to be careful; removing the debris the wrong way could lead to oral injury. Below are some tips for safely addressing this dental emergency while avoiding unnecessary dental damage.

With summer just around the corner, plenty of people are hitting the gym more frequently than usual to get into shape for swimsuit season. Although there are many excellent reasons to get more exercise, like improving your heart condition, strengthening muscles, or losing weight, it’s important to remember that your dental health matters, too.

For example, did you know that working out more can potentially harm your smile if you don’t take the proper precautions? Continue reading to learn about 3 potential problems and how to prevent them!

If you made it through your teens and twenties without getting your wisdom teeth removed, it’s easy to assume you’re home free. The truth is, they can become a problem even further down the road—there’s no statute of limitations on pain. Thankfully, that also means that there’s no age limit on the solution either. Wisdom tooth extractions have been performed on adults in their 30s, 40s, and beyond. However, there are some things worth knowing before you schedule an appointment.

Many of us have had the unfortunate experience of encountering a toothache. If you find yourself in this situation, you should see an emergency dentist as soon as possible! This way, they can address the root of the problem and relieve your pain. However, if you are unable to see a dentist right away, here are some home remedies that may be able to help until your emergency appointment.

If you’re planning on opening up a bottle of wine right after your tooth extraction, you’ll want to think twice about doing so. One of the post-op instructions your dentist will give you is to avoid drinking alcohol, and there are some very good reasons to follow their guidance! Here’s what you should know.

Gum disease is an insidious threat that starts out small in the form of gingivitis, which is inflammation leaves the tissue vulnerable to colonization by destructive oral bacteria. If gingivitis is left untreated, it will eventually develop into periodontitis, which can lead to permanent gum and jawbone erosion as well as tooth loss. Here’s a quick look at how gum disease affects the mouth, why extractions may be necessary, and how your dentist can address these nasty infections.