Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD - 11/1/2008

Question
Hello,
I've been having problems with my back molar ever since visiting the dentist
5 months ago.  The dentist said i had a minor cavity, and although not
completely necessary, it would be better to fill it for prevention. I didn't feel
any sensitivity on that tooth before.  I thought, fine i'll have a filling. As soon
as the anesthetic wore off, i realized i had a sharp pain (i was eating glass
noodles...). I went back to the clinique (that was her last day) and they sent
me to someone else. He tried shaving it, thinking it might be too high. No
improvment...after 2 more visits, he decided to redo the filling.  No
improvement.  So, he redid the filling once more - even more pain - jaw pain,
throbbing under the tooth, and I can tell exactly where the sensitivity is, and
it has actually spread since the prior treatments.
I am suspecting i have a cracked tooth.  I know from reading that this might
need extensive treatment that is not even guaranteed.

Is it normal that a filling procedure results in this kind of complication,
especially for an apparently minor cavity?  or was the first dentist careless?
I can add that this was a very stressful period as well, and I know i was
grinding my teeth more than usual and waking up with a tense jaw.  (i just got
a mouth guard) Maybe this already weakened the tooth before it was worked
on?  

Answer
Hi SJ,

I'm sorry to hear all this is going on. From what you tell me, I would also suspect a cracked tooth. That is the #1 problem that develops with people that clench and grind their teeth. If that's the case, you will need a crown on the tooth. If the crack is small, the success rate is quite high, however, the sooner you deal with the problem, the greater your chances for success. I would also guess that the small filling had nothing to do with your present problem, as long as the filling was not left high so you would grind on it. The 2nd dentist seems to have dealt with that.

I hope this helps.

Gary Backlund DMD, MSD