2 years ago I had a shallow cavity filled on the #18 molar with the white filling. A week later, I began experiencing electric shock-type pain from that tooth. The pain only occurred when pressure was placed directly on the filling.

I went back for x-rays and adjustments, but nothing wrong could ever be found. A ZOE (sedative-type) filling was done, which helped zero. After nearly a year and 14 visits to 3 different dentists, I got a root canal and a crown, which cured the pain about 98%. A "vertically cracked root" was named as the probable culprit.

Last week I had another cavity filled (white filling) on a different molar (#1). And lo-and-behold, now I am experiencing the IDENTICAL electric-shock type pain that I experienced with my #18 molar.

I went in to have it checked, and again they found nothing wrong. I asked if the tooth could possibly have cracked because maybe the filling weakened it. He said that was pretty much impossible since the filling was so superficial. He told me to wait and see if it improves on its own, but I fear the worst is coming, just as before.

The dentist who did the second filling is a different dentist than did the first, and at a different office altogether. How is it possible that I have mystery post-filling pain that no dentist can explain, and that this is happening TWICE?? PLEASE HELP!

Mike

just a note - I have 2 other fillings in my mouth - silver amalgam ones that I received in my teen years. both have given me 15 years or so of service with no complications whatsoever. could I be sensitive somehow to the white resin-type filling material??

I'm having the same problem. I had a leaky amalgam & decided to have it replaced with a composite because of the mercury issue. Later I read that the plastic fillings conduct electricity and the amalgam doesn't. This puzzles me because I would think the metal fillings would be more of a conductor.
Another theory is that is a bonding failure or contamination of the bond. . The latest technology is using "self etching primers", which is supposed to eliminate this problem. Obviously they did not use this technology on us. I don't know what kind of primer was used on mine. Good luck!

Composite fills are not as great as people think they are. Silver fills are far more superior, they just don't look good! If while placing your fillings there was any type of contamination from your saliva or any moisture, then chances are that the fill could be leaking. Especially on tooth #1. Nearly impossible to isolate with out a rubber dam. Was a rubber dam used? Also, the life of a composite fill is way shorter than an amalgam. Its not uncommon to get 15-20 yrs out of an amalgam, and you'll be lucky to get 3-5 yrs out of a composite. No matter what kind of primer was used, if it got contaminated, the bond will fail.

Have the composite taken out and don't have them done again. Silver fillings last a really long time. However, if the tooth isn't dry before either filling is placed, you can have problems down the road.
Also, while having this pain, have you been taking ibuprophen? Advil, or Motrin? You have to take that for a while to calm the neuraligia.

db2kp - are you suggesting that I ask my dentist to drill out the new white filling and refill with silver amalgam?

Thanks.

Michael

Mike,

I've read that there are over 100 different types of "white" fillings. There's also many different types of cementing agents. A lot of this kind of cosmetic dentistry may be new to some dentists, so you may want to find a dentist that specialized in natural-looking fillings (that has a lot more experience with this).

The typical "silver" filling is actually approximately 50% mercury which leaks continually. I had all of my mercury-silver fillings removed and replaced with porcelain materials. I had my naturopath test me for biocompatibility and used materials that seemed to best fit me.

These eight porcelain white fillings I have, have lasted for over 10 years. So far, I've had no problems. They are very durable. At first, I had some sensitivity with hot or cold foods or drinks, but that sensation passes after a couple of months, as I recall. I had a strong negative reaction with my mercury-silver dental amalgams; that's why I had them replaced (a very long story). I know at least one individual personally that had trouble with a white filling, plus I've read that some white fillings are more toxic than others.

It's important to know exactly what white filling materials they are using, and for you to do a lot of research about this. So a person cannot make a blanket statement about one filling or another, because they can be so different. There are also different types of mercury-silver dental amalgams too, that have different percentages of metals. Some mercury-silver dental amalgams are higher in copper for example, which research shows emits mercury faster from people's "silver" fillings.

I hope that helps. :)

Michael,

I personally would have the filling replaced. But that's my opinion.
"White" fillings have improved since the early 90's. However, one problem with them has been contact between teeth. Dr's can't contour them as well as silver.
The bad thing about silver fillings is removing them. You are exposed to more mercury as they are drilled out that you are while they are in your mouth. And that info is from a Prof from the Restorative Dept at Pitt Dental School.
You probably should have a base placed under the filling also or at least dycal.

d

I'm not sure if we are experiencing the same thing or not but I'll tell you what happened with my fillings. I had two fillings on two different occassions on different side (one on the top and one on the both molars). Before the fillings I had no pain (not even with the cavities). After the whole filling process, if I bite down the wrong way or press my teeth together the wrong way I get this shooting pain down my tooth through my jaw. It's like a nerve has been directly hit.

My dentist told me the fillings were probably too high. He said that sometimes when they are not shaped the right way pressure will be put on a certian spot of the tooth which will cause a pain when you bite down. I've had these fillings "fixed" about 5 times and I still get that "hit nerve" feeling. It's also sensitive to cold drinks/foods. I guess it's something I'm just going to have to live with. I feel like I would have been better off leaving the cavity there since I had no pain from it anyways! Good luck!