Any Dentistry Experts Out There?

[VRBeauty]

I''d appreciate some input from anyone out there who has studied or works in the dental field.... or anyone who knows of a good on-line dental resource.

My situation is: About three weeks ago, my dentist removed fillings from two rear molars so they can be replaced with better stuff. Not sure what the issues with the existing fillings were, really. We had discussed it over a year ago and I put it off. My dentist seems pretty aggressive when it comes to procedures, and I''ve learned to be kind of skeptical about his suggestions. This time I just didn''t ask too many questions or put up any protest.

Anyhow, when the novacaine wore off from the filling removal procedures one of the molars was extremely sensitive to pressure. I called the dentists office the next morning -- terrified that I would need a root canal, to be honest -- and they assured me that was normal, and that in all likelyhood the sensitivity would wear off pretty quickly. It''s improved a bit, but three weeks later I still avoid chewing anything crunchy with that side because it feels like I''m hitting the nerve.

So I guess my question is, will this sensitivity improve? Should I hold off the permanent replacement until I''m sure further procedures won''t be needed? If the nerve was somehow damaged, or they somehow exposed it too much, are there any options other than a root canal for taking care of it?

If anyone out there is still reading, my apologies for such a boring post! If anyone has good advice to offer, thank you in advance?

 

[pavelover]

Hi Min- I am by no means a dental expert, but I have noticed the same thing happen to me after dental work. I have a friend whose husband is a dentist and she reassured me that this is perfectly normal. Last time I had a cavity filled, I continued to have sensitivity when I flossed, etc, I want to say for a month or maybe more? Sorry I don''t have more info, but my friend did make me feel better about this being o.k.

 

[Sabine]

Same here. The first couple cavities I got filled never bothered me, but about a year ago I had a cavity filled. He started drilling before the novacaine had fully kicked in, and I''m a total baby about my mouth (plus there were other bad things happening and I have since learned to request a specific dentist at this office), so when he was finishing up, he had me bite down a bunch of times to see how it felt. It felt off, but I was so petrified that I just wanted to get out of there, so I said it was fine. My tooth felt bigger than all my other teeth for about 2 months, and was sensitive to biting down on really hard things for about a month, but it did eventually go away. Since then, I''ve had a filling replaced, and it was sensitive after as well, but it only lasted about 2 weeks. I''d give it some time.

 

[iheartscience]

I am no expert, but I actually just had a lot of dental work done about a month ago to my molars, and my teeth were very sensitive for several weeks. Really until right about now. Maybe molars are more sensitive than other teeth? If they keep hurting I would get them checked out, though.

And I would also think about getting a new dentist-my fiance went to a dentist like yours who really pushed unnecessary procedures on him, so he ended up switching dentists and is much happier with the new dentist.

 

[cmaha33]

Hi. In response to your post, the new filling in your molar might be a little high in occlusion; if you believe it is high, the dentist can grind off the high spot. Also, you didn''t mention if the replacement filling was a composite (white) filling; sometimes white fillings can cause teeth to be sensitive because of the chemicals involved in placing the filling. In addition, every time a tooth is worked on, the tooth is "traumatized"; it might take about a month to two for the sensitivity to completely go away. This will also be true if the filling is an especially deep one. However, if the tooth starts to throb or becomes sensitive to both heat and cold (not just cold), I would call your dentist. Hope this helps you. BTW, I am a general dentist

 

[VRBeauty]

Pavelover, Sabine, and Thing2of2 (love! that SN!), thank you for your fast response and reassurances! It's been a long time since I've had new fillings and I've just forgotten what to expect, I think.

Cmaha33, thank you for your expert input! The height of the temporary cap is not a problem. The dental technician who placed the temporaries was very responsive to my input on that, and made sure that I was comfortable with the bite before I left. The tooth is not throbbing or sensitive to hot or cold -- thanks for letting me know what sort of symptoms would indicate a real problem.

So the consensus is... in all likelyhood there is no problem, and I can look forward to another stint in the dentist's chair this week to get those permanents put on

.

Just kidding on the

BTW. I have had a root canal and a few other much more involved procedures, and I know this will be a big nothing in comparison.

And -- Cmaha33 -- please accept a big shout out for good dental care! I am so grateful basically trouble-free teeth, and for the role my parents and various dentists over the years played in providing them. Not to mention all those dental hygienists and their constant call to floss!

 

[miraclesrule]

Blech...Dental work. It''s a form of torture.

I had a similar problem after molar work, and discovered that it wasn''t the tooth that was so achy, but the trauma of the needle and numbing. Many times the dentist can get a bit too close...and in my case, actually hit, a nerve. It doesn''t happen often, but when it does, it is no bueno.

If this inadvertently happened to you, it could take up to three months to feel completely normal. That''s what happened in my case.

Good Luck.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/1/2008 3:30:56 PM
Author: cmaha33
Hi. In response to your post, the new filling in your molar might be a little high in occlusion; if you believe it is high, the dentist can grind off the high spot. Also, you didn't mention if the replacement filling was a composite (white) filling; sometimes white fillings can cause teeth to be sensitive because of the chemicals involved in placing the filling. In addition, every time a tooth is worked on, the tooth is 'traumatized'; it might take about a month to two for the sensitivity to completely go away. This will also be true if the filling is an especially deep one. However, if the tooth starts to throb or becomes sensitive to both heat and cold (not just cold), I would call your dentist. Hope this helps you. BTW, I am a general dentist

Hello Cmaha33, I always wondered if we had any dentists on PS. Glad you are around!

Best wishes Minims

 

[VRBeauty]

Thanks for the support, Skippy, and for the insight, Miraclesrule. There were definately some long needles involved in the last procedure so maybe that''s what''s going on.

I think a part of me was hoping that someone would wave a big red flag and scream NO, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GET IN THAT DENTIST''s CHAIR! But alas, no such luck. I''ll just go in there on Tuesday morning and present myself for whatever they have in store for me.

I''m not a wimp, really I''m not. I managed to break three front teeth as a child (long story -- suffice it to say they left holes in a cement floor!) so I''ve spent plenty of time with people sticking needles and other things in my mouth, and I don''t think I was a bad patient. I just kinda figured that I was all done with that, I guess! Anyhow, the sensitivity is decreasing and you all have given me valuable information so I''ll go get those permanents put on.

Funny thing. I rarely chew gum, but i''ve had this real persistent desire for it ever since they told me to stay away from chewy things with the temporary caps!

 

[strmrdr]

is it cold sensitive?
As in ouch pain when exposed to cold?

 

[VRBeauty]

Well, the dentist tried to put on the permanent caps this morning, but decided one of them was not up to his standards... so he'll get another go at it two weeks from now!

The good news is that the sensitivity is subsiding even after today's procedures.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share experiences and expertise. It helped allay my concerns and helped get me in that dental chair this morning!