We often get the question, why do my fillings need replacement?
The answer is not always simple.
This patient had multiple fillings failing in different ways:
1. Broken filling on the second molar with decay underneath
2. New decay between the first and second molars
3. Poor contour on the second premolar making it difficult to floss and keep clean
4. Acid erosion and a gap around the existing filling on the first premolar, no contact between the canine and first premolar trapping food
5. Open contact and an overhang on the canine trapping food
For this patient we chose to replace what had to be replaced and try to recontour the remaining fillings to make it easier to maintain. Hopefully this patient enjoys many more years of function from these fillings.