Re-filled tooth aching!

[mikeassured]

Hi

I would be grateful if one of our resident dentists could advise me what to do.

I had an amalgam filling replaced on Tuesday with a white filling. The tooth is already root filled, but since yesterday it is aching and tender to the touch.

Is this normal or a sign of infection?

Many thanks

Sue

[Teerah]

Sounds as if the filling may be a little high, this would explain the pain with no nerve in the tooth. See if you can pop back to your dentist tomorrow for an ease.

[mikeassured]

[QUOTE=Teerah]Sounds as if the filling may be a little high, this would explain the pain with no nerve in the tooth. See if you can pop back to your dentist tomorrow for an ease.[/QUOTE
Thanks for your reply teerah. When I tap the side of the tooth that is visible when I smile, it doesnt hurt, but when I touch the tooth on the inside (next to my tongue) it is really painful. Do you think that is a symptom of the filling being too high? I am really panicking I will lose the tooth. I only had the original filling removed as my dentist said a composite filling would improve the appearance of the tooth. I really wish I hadnt had it done now!

Sue

[Toothsmith]

White fillings can shrink a little on setting, which, if an edge of the tooth is weak, can create a hairline fracture in that tooth. A hairline fracture can be very sensitive, even in root filled teeth.

Get it checked ASAP. Extraction may well be a long way off yet. A crown or inlay may well still be able to fix it.

[mikeassured]

Just my luck! The tooth next to it fractured a couple of weeks ago and I was having the crown fitted when my dentist suggested drilling out the tooth next to it and refill with composite as it looked grey. I asked if drilling it out could weaken the tooth and fracture like the one she was crowning but she said the tooth wasnt as heavily filled and should be ok!! How easy is it to see a fracture?

Also I have what appears to be a bad ulcer two teeth back at the very top of the gum in the crease where gum meets cheek which is making it red and swollen. This couldnt have any effect on the tooth could it?

Thanks

Sue

[Teerah]

Hi Sue, the ulcer is unlikely to be related...it may be where the local anaesthetic was administered perhaps or a cotton roll may have irritated the tissue on its removal, it should heal ok though.

A root filled tooth is by definition has a pretty deep filling in it so it is possible that one if the cusps has fractured (this sounds quite plausible if the tooth is only tender in one particular area)...the only way to find out is if you go back to see your dentist though, did you manage to get an appointment today??

[mikeassured]

Thanks for the response Teerah.

I got had an appointment booked for today, by which time the tooth is back to normal! I mentioned it to the dentist that I had experienced this pain over the weekend, checked the tooth and said that the filling was most likely too high and rectified it. I am hoping that is the end of it!
Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Sue