Heavy metal generation teeth? Why not turn your restorations a whiter shade of pale?

Vanessa Giraud

7 years ago

Can you remember the spectrum from Black Sabbath through Deep Purple to Moody Blues? If so, chances are you’ll have some heavy metal too. Are you between 45 and 75? Then you probably still have most of your own teeth, but with work done on them. Not happy with your old restoration work? These days, a lot of people with what dentists have dubbed “heavy metal generation teeth” are taking advantage of modern dental treatments to improve their bite!

What’s the problem with heavy metal generation teeth?

Back in the first half of the last century, sugar had become mainstream, and tooth decay had increased beyond ever before. People got toothache, and people had bad teeth pulled out. With the advent of dental care provided by the NHS, children of the 50s, 60s and 70s had extensive restoration work done but kept their teeth – more or less.

Is there a problem with restored teeth?

If it’s working, don’t fix it often makes good sense! If your teeth are doing their job, and don’t hurt, then that’s good. But as the teeth of the heavy metal population are aging, some extra dental work may become necessary. Teeth that have been restored may start to play up as restoration work doesn’t last forever. In fact, 10-20 years is a good result. Many of our patients choose to redo old dental work though, because they know that modern materials and techniques are better, and can improve their appearance as well as their health.

Problems with amalgam fillings:

With time amalgam fillings may become loose or fall out.
Bacteria can build up around the filling causing decay in the remaining tooth structure.
The remaining real tooth around the amalgam filling may crack or break.
Amalgam is not tooth coloured.

Problems with crowns:

The crown looks out of place.
There’s a gap between the gum and the crown.
The material used to make the crown doesn’t look translucent.
It becomes loose or wobbles.

Can my dentist fix old restorations?

Modern materials and technology offer terrific new ways to repair dental work from the last century:

White fillings are more durable these days.
Colour matching is improved.
The translucency and lustre of modern crowns means they look more realistic.