Do you have sensitivity problems after you had a tooth colored filling placed?
Tooth colored fillings are also known as resin fillings or composite fillings. When done correctly, this material can be made to look like your tooth was never touched. We can make a filling blend in well with a tooth. It can look very beautiful. However, when resin fillings are mishandled, the tooth may feel more sensitive to temperature than before the filling was placed.
Here are some possible causes of your sensitivity after a resin filling was placed:
- Improper removal of decay
- Improper bonding technique
- Improper placement technique
- Improper adjustment of the fillings after it was placed
Yesterday a patient came in to see me because she had sensitivity to cold and sweet on her upper left quadrant. This xray revealed a resin filling was placed with folds within it, and there was a gap between the filling itself and the tooth structure. In addition, there was decay underneath the filling when I removed it.
In this scenario, the cause of the sensitivity with this filling was due to 3 of the above 4 reasons. The remedy was for me to remove the entire filling and all decay underneath. Then a new perfect filling was placed, and the sensitivity went away!
In the xray below, note the arrows pointing toward the improper contact between the filling and the tooth.
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Alex Nguyen, DDS is a Saratoga Dentist who practices General Dentistry, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry. For over 20 years the practice has been serving the residents of Santa Clara County and San Francisco Bay Area.
