I needed a filling for a back tooth. I really wanted a white filling, even though my dentist typically does the old fashioned silver ones. It took some convincing, but eventually he agreed to give me the white filling. However, since then, I have been having pain. When my teeth are clenched, I am fine, but when I chew it hurts like mad. There is a sharp pain. I am a little embarrassed to talk to my dentist about this because it was my idea. Do you know why this is happening?
Brad
Dear Brad,
You don’t have to be embarrassed. You wanted the best treatment. It is an illustration of why you should never try to talk a dentist into a procedure. In this particular case, the procedure for silver amalgam fillings and white composite fillings are completely different. He probably doesn’t really understand the new procedure. But, rather than tell you that and risk you losing confidence in him, he tried to do his best.
It’s a bit strange but the small fillings tend to have more trouble with this than the large ones. There are a couple of options for you. With the first option, you call your dentist and ask him to redo the crown. However, he will need to put a glass ionomer base under the filling to protect the dentin. If he does not agree to that, then I would go with your second option, which will be to get a refund from him on this filling and then see a dentist who knows the procedure well enough to not have this issue. I would look for someone who advertised as a mercury-free dentist. That means they only place the white composite fillings and will be skilled in placing them.
This blog is brought to you by Enfield Dentist Dr. William Cummiskey.