When I had a badly decayed tooth extracted, I got a partial denture to fill in the gap. I didn't mind it at first, because I was just so happy to have my painful tooth out of my mouth. Over time, I began to get tired of taking it out at night. I asked my dentist if I was could get a dental implant, and he said that my gum disease did not make me a good candidate, but a fixed bridge may be a good option for me. I went with his suggestion, and I have no regrets. I love feeling like I have a real tooth again that I don't have to remove at night. I created this blog to remind other people with a missing tooth that they have many replacement options, and if one is not for you, then try another that may be right.
Having a cavity filled in a tooth comes with some aftereffects. These are quite minor, and won't last. Some of the tooth's structure (the decayed portion) has been removed and replaced with a synthetic equivalent (tooth-colored dental resin). Considering that, some slight sensitivity is hardly surprising. What if that sensitivity is worsening?
Some Basic Complications
Dental fillings are amongst the most common treatment methods in general dentistry but are not without the chance of some basic complications—none of which are difficult to correct. Does it feel as though your upper and lower teeth no longer fit together comfortably—as though the filled tooth is somehow taller? Your dentist may have overcompensated for the size of the cavity and added fractionally too much resin. This is an easy fix. The filling material can be filed down to the correct height. The results are immediate and completely painless.
An Inflamed Nerve
Sensitivity that comes close to pain (which may worsen) can suggest that the tooth's nerve is inflamed. Over-the-counter pain relief (particularly ibuprofen with its anti-inflammatory qualities) probably has some effect, but your symptoms are likely to persist. You must contact your dentist to report the problem. They may need to inspect your tooth.
Temporary Irritation
Ideally, the placement of the resin into the cavity has temporarily irritated the tooth's nerve—and nothing more. In this case, the problem is self-correcting. You may wish to use a topical anesthetic (cream or gel) formulated for dental pain (your dentist can recommend a specific product). This will numb the site as it recovers, and your pain subsides. However, there's also the possibility that the tooth's nerve has become infected.
Infection of the Nerve
An infected nerve spells trouble for the tooth that surrounds it. It may be possible to salvage the nerve using antibiotics, but in many instances, the nerve can quickly succumb, and its necrotic tissue must be removed to contain the infection that overwhelmed it. This is what root canal treatment entails. The tooth's nerve is removed, and the resulting hollow is filled with dental latex. The tooth is then closed with a filling, or a filling and a crown. A crown is often necessary for rear molars, which experience the most bite pressure and will need extra reinforcement.
Some sensitivity after having a cavity filled is perfectly ordinary, but if that sensitivity gets worse, or becomes painful, you'll need to speak with a general dentistry professional.
Share25 April 2023
