2 months ago I got a couple of fillings from a new dentist, and they’ve been pretty sensitive to temperature. It’s uncomfortable, but not quite unbearable. Still, cold fluids during training and racing can really make me squirm. I followed up with the doc, and she the filling was close to the nerve and told me to try sensodyne toothpaste, then she recommended an oral surgeon to look into a root canal.
Is that normal? I’ve only had fillings once before, but didn’t have any trouble. Both procedures were the resin types. The sensodyne doesn’t do much, and a root canal is not something I want
to do. Is this something I need to live with?
Fillings that may get close to the nerve of a tooth can cause some sensitivity due to the microtrauma, thus causing inflammation of the nerve. Depending on the isolation techniques the dentist used, there may or may not be saliva/bacteria contamination with in the tooth when the resin was placed. There are also other factors that may come into play with the resin material, whether it was all cured (blue light) at once, or done in increments. Sometimes… the silver(amalgam) fillings are a better option for deep fillings, especially molars. If you do need a root canal, I wouldn’t recommend you see an oral surgeon. They are trained to extract difficult teeth (impacted wisdom teeth, placement of surgical implants, and dealing with pathology and facial reconstruction plus other surgical procedures.) If you need to see a specialist, it would be an endodontist you would need to go to.
Give it some time. New fillings or crowns may be sensitive in the beginning but improve later.
If you decide to get a root canal, go to an endodontist. Root canals done by regular dentists often miss roots or don’t completely clean out a root.
You are right, it was an endodontist that was recommended - I couldn’t remember the specialty off the top of my head and incorrectly guessed oral surgeon.
Ok, following up on this for more advice. I had the filling done in April, so it’s been 3 months now. The sensitivity has been slowly getting worse, I’m at a point now where cool tap water is painful, ice water is unbearable. Basically anything not lukewarm will cause pain. And lately the pain throbs for a little after any activity, and sometimes it will just start dully aching when I’m sitting around.
From what I’ve read online, the filling may be able to be re-done, is that right? I think i’d rather do that than a root canal…
Do you still have it’s pain? I have experienced it last year and it was too hectic. Restrictions in food and all. So, it’s recommended to find a dentist who is very professional and do regular dental check up without fail.
You most likely need a root canal. Just get it done. It really isn’t that bad. Sooner or later it will reach critical mass and will be incapacitating. Don’t let it get that far. Get to an endodontist.
Jamie
I would say he got that fixed 3 years ago when he asked the question.