Expert: Lawrence Spindel DDS, www.lspindeldds.com - 11/29/2008

Question
I have had a few very deep cavaties filled, and ever since then I have had severe sensitivity.  I went to my Dentist at the beginning of the week with severe facial pain that radiates down my neck and over to my right ear.  My Dentist tood Xrays and found nothing wrong,  Told me it was likely a bruised nerve/root due to me grinding my teeth.  My questions is this,  how long should the pain last.  I can't sleep, it's keeping me up at night.  The pain is quite severe. I've tried heating pads and cold water, nothing seems to help it.  Do you have any suggestions?   Thank you in advance.


Answer
Dear Kim,

I am sorry you are in such discomfort and It sounds like you may have a tooth related problem.

Although it is possible your are grinding your teeth and causing this discomfort, if your pain coincided with the recent fillings, it is more likely tooth related.  It could be that one of the teeth filled is causing the problem. Often times when a tooth is having problems its pain can be referred to other parts of the head( towards the ear, or down the jaw),

First I check the bite on all recently done fillings, since a high bite can cause your symptoms. Sometimes, by checking the bite on all excursions and adjusting it the pain can go away.

Often teeth that are 'unhappy' display objective symptoms to cold, hot,percussion or biting pressure.  If you came to my office I would 'challenge' the teeth on the side that is bothering you.

I place an ice cube probe on each tooth and look for one that is different from the others.  A tooth with a sick pulp can either be insensitive to cold(dead pulp) or exquisitely sensitive(pulpits).

I also percuss (tap on) the teeth and see if one of the teeth is uncomfortable when tapped on. I also have patients bite on a Q tip.


None of these problems necessarily show up on a radiograph. I would politely discuss the matter with your dentist and see if he can perform some of these tests on your teeth.

Of course it is possible that your pain is not related to the 'deep' fillings , but until your dentist does some tests, it is not possible to say for sure.

I hope I have answered your questions and please feel free to contact me again with any future dental queries.