floss hangs betwen teeth since new filling - Dental Health Message Board

sammi2 · 01-01-2005, 08:46 AM

Since having my latest filling I not only have a tooth that requires a root canal but dental floss hangs when I try to pull it out. The pain is almost unbearable when I pull the floss down between the teeth but it will not pull up. I went back to dentist and he all but pulled me out of the chair trying to get it out. It is actually fraying on a piece of something. I pull it down and out the gumline to get it out. What can be done to remedy this? I must have picked the worst dentist in the world. I changed to him so I would not have to travel so far to have dental work done but it was a mistake from the beginning. thanks.

norrell · 01-01-2005, 10:20 AM

Your new filling has what is call an overhang. The filling on one or maybe both sides between the teeth is not smooth along the tooth. It sorta jets out a little bit and even the tiniest overhang can catch floss. That also is why your floss shredds when you try to pull it out. Over hang can usually be corrected. He needs to go in between the tooth and smooth or file it down. Composite or white fillings are notorious for overhangs because the material is a bit harder to work with compare to silver fillings. Silver fillings can cause an overhang as well but less often because the doc is able to put a matric band around the tooth prior to filling it. Go back to him and tell him you think you have an overhang. After he smooth it down, ask for floss and floss yourself to make sure it's smooth. Sometimes the doc is not able to smooth it out completely because its hard to get in between the teeth but he should be able to make it better.

sammi2 · 01-01-2005, 02:24 PM

I have already gone back to dentist but he didn't help it at all. Now I am worried. Thanks for your replies.

brwneyez9 · 01-02-2005, 07:57 PM

Sounds like an overhang. It needs to be smoothed or the can cause problems later. You don't want that. So go back and make him fix it. Be strong because these are your teeth and it needs to be right. Sliver filling cause overhangs too. The matrix band is also used around the teeth filled with Composite material. You can't place a filling that goes in between two teeth not matter what the material is with out a matrix band. Just doesn't work that way. Have to have it. So you can have the same amount of over hangs with sliver fillings. Either way the overhang needs fixed it could cause problems with your gums if you don't. So go back and let him know it needs to be done.

BioAdoptMom3 · 01-02-2005, 08:22 PM

I agree that it needs to be fixed. In the meantime, try the "easy slide" type of floss. My teeth are very close together and that really helps.

Nancy