What to do next (dentist problems) - Dental Health Message Board

ForgetMeKnot · 11-23-2003, 09:33 PM

I went to the dentist for me yearly check up, and they said I had a cavity..

I went back and got the filling for the cavity.

After they put the filling it, and which they had trouble putting it in, scraping off some, and feeling it, scaping off some, and feeling it....longest filling I ever had, my tooth began to ache whenever i ate.

So then I went back to the dentist, and they said that it was because there was too much filling on the tooth and before i actually bit down i was hitting a extra piece on the filling first, but not enough for me to actually be able to tell. So they scraped some more.

Now that tooth is so sensitive to cold and or hot/warm things..I cant drink milk/soda/water-anything without a straw and having the straw way back in my mouth so it doesnt hit the tooth.

I also cannot eat, as when i eat just warm food it hurts, or cold food, or any food!

So my parents are going to call again...but since hes messed up and all, and we dont even think i had a cavity in the begining to start with is there a way to sue, or is that too soon?

zuzu8 · 11-23-2003, 10:44 PM

It sounds like the first thing the dentist thought might be causing your toothache after you had the filling put in initially, was, as you said, all that amalgum made the tooth too "high", and you were hitting it too hard whenever you bit down, so he had to grind it down a bit. This OFTEN happens...even with the best of dentists.

However, now you are having sensitivity to both heat and cold. It's the heat that is more concerning. This cavity might have been very deep and close to the nerve. Your dentist might have been trying to avoid a root canal (i.e. spare the nerve), hoping that he could clean out all the decay near the nerve and just fill the cavity, thereby keeping the tooth "alive".
But, given the pain you still have, that cavity might have been deeper than first thought and you may need root canal after all.

Don't even think lawsuit....It really doesn't sound warranted...You really should explain what's going on to him and see what he has to say. If you don't trust him for an honest answer, go to another dentist. Again, sensitivity to heat often means there is nerve involvement, that it was a very deep cavity and root canal is indicated. In which case you would go to an endodontist, who is a specialist is root canal.

zuzu xx

PS If you DO go to someone else, make sure you ask for your first dentist's xrays and take them with youto dentist #2

Want 2 B Well · 11-24-2003, 08:37 AM

Seek out an endodontist. Do not let the other dentist touch your tooth.

ForgetMeKnot · 11-24-2003, 07:03 PM

thanks for the info!

kfoster · 11-25-2003, 12:01 AM

Yea it sounds as if the filling was high as they filled it which believe it or not can cause pain to the tooth and to the periodontal ligaments surrounding the tooth. Think of it as walking with a rock in your shoe, it's the rock that you are stepping on first and not your foot. As for the cavity itself, without an x-ray I can't really tell but if you are having pain afterwards that is a cause for concern. Usually after receiving a large amalgam filling you are going to experience some sensitivity to that tooth for awhile, so cold drinks may be a problem. Some of the symptoms you should watch out for are as follows: sensitivity to warm or hot water, if the pain you are experiencing lasts for more than 3 to 4 seconds, if you are awakened out of a deep sleep with dental pain. If any of these symptoms occur I would immediately get to a dentist for it could be irreversible pulpitis.