I had two small white fillings done. It’s my first experience with white ones. My dentist finally joined the twenty-first century. He’s pretty old school but he’s been my dentist since I was a kid so I don’t want to switch. I’m having this odd issue that is causing pain. If I bite down, clenching my teeth, there is no problem. However, whenever I am chewing on something hard, I get a sharp pain. My dentist can’t figure it out and I’m almost to the point of going back to the old amalgam fillings. I know those aren’t the healthiest, so I’m hoping you have heard of this problem.
Katie
Dear Katie,
I am aware of this issue and do have a solution. Don’t be too hard on your dentist. It’s a big deal for some older dentists to step out of their comfort zones and move away from procedures that have served them well for decades. It sounds like your dentist is trying to do just that. There is always a learning curve when someone is upping their skills.
While the procedure for amalgam fillings is completely different from the bonding for white fillings,. this issue is unique. For some reason, the issue you are experiencing only seems to be an issue with smaller composite fillings.
There are two possible solutions for this. Both of them will require replacing the composite filling. When you do, the first is utilizing the latest technology. When placing composite fillings, your dentist can use “self-etching primers.” These have been eliminating this type of sensitivity.
A second option is for your dentist to use a glass ionomer base under the filling. This will keep him from having to bond directly to the dentin of the tooth.
Either way should solve the problem you are having and give your dentist another tool in his toolbox.
This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.