Front tooth composite filling keeps coming out

[MarmiteWine]

Apologies in advance for the essay but I want to try to give all relevant info.

TL:DR - my upper incisor filling has been replaced several times and I think it's about to come out again. What can I do?

Full version - NHS treatment. I had a small filling in my upper central incisor less than 3 years ago. Size was a little smaller than an uncooked grain of rice.

It's been replaced now 3 times. The first time it fell out within 12 months of the original filling, so it was replaced free of charge under guarantee. The dentist suggested it may have happened because of night-time tooth-grinding so suggested I buy an OTC mouth guard, which I did and used from that point onwards.

The replacement lasted just over 12 months before coming out again. I paid for a new filling.

That 3rd filling only lasted weeks before coming out. Before it fell out that time I was aware that the back of the tooth was feeling rough if I brushed my tongue against it.

It was replaced again under guarantee but as soon as the anaesthetic wore off I realised that the back of the tooth felt rough to the touch. I called the dentist for advice and went back the next day so she could smooth it off with her tools.

A few weeks later, in my routine check up, I commented that it still felt a little rough and I was anxious about this. I needed other fillings so I agreed to the dentist replacing the front tooth filling again at the same time. She reassured me that the repeated fillings weren't causing any damage as the filling was very small. She also said there was no reason why the filling may be coming out so frequently and said there wasn't anything she could do any differently.

The filling was replaced in September last year.

2 weeks ago, I developed an infection/abscess in a different tooth. The dentist gave me antibiotics for the infection but didn't arrange any follow-up treatment. (While in the waiting room I heard the receptionist calling patients to reschedule appointments so it's apparent they're really struggling at the surgery at the moment). Because of the pain I stopped using the mouthguard.

I realised a couple of days ago that the back of the front tooth is now feeling rough again, and this evening I have a little mild pain in that area. Obviously I'm convinced I'm about to lose the filling again.

Is this really just bad luck? Or is there anything that a non-NHS dentist may do differently (without removing the tooth)? I wouldn't mind paying for non-NHS treatment if there was a likelihood that it would actually stay put as a result.

Bonus points if anyone can personally recommend a good dentist in the SW Durham area of the UK.

I would think you may be better of with a crown on the tooth, its not normal for fillings to come out that often!

Just to add, the repeated falling out has left me with anxiety about biting even the softest foods with my front teeth. I've been avoiding that for months now wherever possible, even eating sandwiches etc with a knife and fork (in the privacy of my own home).

Ouch not much help, but I feel your pain.
Had a filling and part of a tooth ping off a couple of weeks ago - painful because the rough edge was cutting my tongue. Fortunately its at the back though, so after a temporary filling it's being extracted tomorrow.

what I did to stop it cutting my tongue before the temp filling - I read on the internet that covering it with sugar free chewing gum as a VERY temporary measure. I was skeptical, but it was remarkably efficient.
The other thing recommended was dental wax - apparently its main use is to cushion against braces. Good luck with finding someone - and getting better advice than mine.

I don’t know if it’s something to do with the material they are now using but I am having the same problem with a front tooth filling constantly falling out. I am onto my fifth replacement in 3 years. The original filling lasted about 20. In fact it’s fallen out again and I’m trying to pluck up the courage to call them again.

I had the same thing happen with my front tooth filling. I really regret going back to have it tweaked when it felt rough, because the second time they smoothed it, they did it wrong, because years later I now have permanent stain on tooth. I think they can file away too much of the tooth for the filling to stick on.

I ended up moving to a private dentist and I really recommend doing the same. My experience was that the NHS dentist was far less concerned about cosmetic appearance of teeth (as if its not the most important part of your appearance).

Composite fillings rely on a chemical bonding agent. If you have a diet high in dietary acids (fruit juices, fizzy drinks,fruits ) you may be damaging the bond or dissolving the tooth around it.
Grinding can debone a composite.
But the biggest cause of failure of composites in front teeth is using a finger nail to try and remove something stuck between the teeth. Always use floss.

I had a similar problem with a back tooth (on the other side) many years ago. the problem was that every time the filling, and eventually crown, came out, more and more of the tooth came away - so I don't think its necessarily the material being used.
they extracted it in the end, and my wisdom tooth grew and filled in the space.

Dentists can vary hugely, some are quite slap dash and use older techniques whilst others are very precise and used the latest materials and equipment. I would recommend moving to a different dentist in your case.

I hear you. One of my front teeth is more composite than tooth I apparently have a scissor bite. I have to learn to treat my teeth with respect.

Dh had similar with front tooth, now has a bridge

@Angrymum22

Composite fillings rely on a chemical bonding agent. If you have a diet high in dietary acids (fruit juices, fizzy drinks,fruits ) you may be damaging the bond or dissolving the tooth around it. Grinding can debone a composite. But the biggest cause of failure of composites in front teeth is using a finger nail to try and remove something stuck between the teeth. Always use floss.

@Angrymum22 thank you for taking the time to respond. I know from other threads that you're a dentist so really appreciate your opinion.

It's really interesting, especially about the dietary acids. I did ask my dentist if there was anything I could do, or anything I might be doing that I shouldn't. She didn't offer any possible solutions beyond "don't bite too hard". But she also said the filling isn't on the biting surface so "normal use" shouldn't dislodge the filling.

I do eat berries most mornings, but rarely have fizzy drinks or juice.

My teeth are so close together now that I struggle to floss, and I'm so anxious about dislodging the filling that I've avoided flossing there. I definitely wouldn't get a finger nail in if I tried. That's reminded me though that I think my mouth has started to become overcrowded in the last couple of years as my wisdom teeth have appeared. I think some of my teeth are rotating slightly. I'm not sure if that would have any impact.

Regarding the grinding, I was religious in the use of a mouth guard right up until 2 weeks ago, even wearing it for naps. I'm confident that there wasn't any tooth to tooth contact, but could just the vibration caused by grinding be an issue?

Wow, I wasn't expecting quite so many people to reply with similar experiences. Thank you to everyone that's replied, but especially @Lwoj, @Midlander88, @cakeorwine and @LIZS who've replied with front tooth experiences.

I think I will end up going to a private dentist but admit I'm reluctant to pay privately if it's just as likely it will keep happening.

Annoyingly, before this started happening I'd finally managed to overcome my dental phobia and felt comfortable with the dentist who originally did that filling. Unfortunately she left the practice soon afterwards and moved to the other end of the country. The current dentist is lovely but it took a while before I could relax with her. It's a shame to have to start over with someone new but, again, would be worthwhile if I knew there'd be an improvement.

that's interesting - I didn't know that you could get OTC mouth guards - I had one made by a dentist 20+ years ago, cost hundreds, only used it a couple of times because it was so large and uncomfortable I couldn't sleep with it on - but current dentist recommended I use one recently.
Have just googled & seen how much they've moved on - thin silicone looks way more comfortable, so have some on the way.

I have fillings in my front teeth since my mid teens. Always falling out and I thought looked unsightly.

The first thing I did when I got a 'proper job' and finally (sic) had some money was to have my front six teeth crowned. It's been brilliant. They are not 'perfect' but replicate some of the ting flaws in my original teeth so they don't look false.

Only someone looking inside my moth can tell they are crowns.

Finally (sic) I can smile in photos.

That was back in the late 1980's. Excellent value for money on a pay per use basis.

Nowadays, I know of a few people who have visited Turkey to have their teeth crowned at rates which are very good cake for money compared to the UK private rates.