Dental fillings should be seen and not heard. If you have noticed that one or more of your fillings sounds more like a mouse than a dental restoration, you have a problem. Although it is rare, some patients complain that their fillings squeak whenever they put pressure on the area. This is an issue that needs to be addressed quickly, as it can lead to further complications.
A Squeak Indicates a High Filling
This squeaking phenomenon is generally heard with amalgam (silver) fillings. However, high white fillings may also squeak when pressure is placed on them—during chewing, for example. If a filling is even slightly too high, it may creak or squeak while you eat. A high filling is one that is bigger than it should be.
When a filling is too large, it causes the opposing tooth surface to slide against it during chewing. Subsequently, this unnatural friction causes the filling to squeak whenever it meets the opposing tooth. If your fillings squeak, you need to see your dentist right away, as high fillings can cause several issues.
High Fillings Wear Teeth Down
If left untreated, a high filling can lead to excessive wear on your teeth. This happens in two ways. First, the high filling pushes against the opposing tooth surface and creates friction by sliding against it. This slowly wears the tooth down.
Secondly, high fillings can also cause your bite to change. In other words, you may change the way you chew. This puts the surrounding teeth under more pressure, as they no longer meet the opposing teeth in a natural manner.
High Fillings Can Loosen Teeth
When you change your bite, you begin to subject your teeth to forces they are not used to. If you fail to do anything about it, the teeth that are under the most pressure will begin to loosen in their sockets. Obviously, this will make eating and speaking more difficult. You also face the risk of losing those loose teeth if nothing is done to correct the problem.
High Fillings Can Break Teeth
Since fillings are essentially plugs that keep out tooth decay and food particles, putting unnecessary pressure on them can cause teeth to break. If a tooth breaks badly, you may need a crown, or worse, extraction.
This is why it is important that you see your dentist as soon as possible if your fillings are squeaking. One high filling can cause havoc in your mouth if not treated quickly. To correct a high filling, your dentist only needs to polish the filling, removing some of it so that it fits more comfortably.
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