AboutMark Bornfeld DDS Expertise I can respond to all questions dealing with the practice of dentistry, from both the dentist`s and patient`s perspective. I am knowledgeable about all dental disciplines, from cosmetic dentistry to surgery, from restorative dentistry to root canal treatment. I have strong opinions about controversial issues in dental practice, including those topics which directly impact on the reputation of the profession in the eyes of both the lay public and our health profession colleagues.
Experience
Past/Present clients Editor, Queens County Academy of General Dentistry newsletter; contributor to Dentistry.com 29 years practicing general dentistry partnered with brother Steve as one-half of the DentalTwins®
Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS Date: 7/20/2008 Subject: Staining at margin of composite filling
Question Hello Dr. Bornfeld,
About 7 years ago I had a large tooth colored filling placed on tooth #15. It was a bad experience for me, and it caused me to change dentists. My new dentist checked the filling out and said it was properly placed and looked good.
I was looking at the tooth with one of those home lighted dental mirrors you can purchase(which I regret purchasing now!) and saw a stain line that is reddish brown in color. It appears to follow the route that the filling meets my natural tooth, though I am not 100% sure. I have read that tooth colored fillings can stain at the margins, but am not sure what that means??
I am in a new state, and haven't found a dentist I am completely comfortable with yet. But, the two dentists that I have had cleanings and x-rays with have never mentioned anything about staining or discoloring on that tooth.
My last checkup with the dentist was two months ago and he said the filling looked great.
I am very nervous about dental issues arising. My question is if this type of staining is normal, and if it can indicate anything bad? I realize you can't see it, so I hope I have described it OK. There is absolutely no sensitivity or pain with this tooth.
Thank you for your time!!
Cathy
Answer Dear Cathy,
You're right-- because I cannot personally evaluate your filling, there is no way for me to reliably assess the significance of your staining. I'd like to think that your dentists would have mentioned something if they thought the stain represented anything serious, but there is no way to logically exclude the possibility that they simply overlooked the tooth-- after all, to err is human.
Composite resin fillings do indeed stain at the margins; this is largely due to the fact that the degree to which they expand and contract on exposure to heat and cold-- their "coefficient of thermal expansion"-- varies markedly from natural tooth structure. Because of this, the margins between the filling and the enamel open and close whenever you drink or eat hot or cold food; this allows food debris, coffee stain, tobacco, etc., to infiltrate the margin, resulting in a stain of the sort you describe. Of course, this marginal leakage also can allow tooth decay to get a foothold, so there's no way to reliably distinguish decay from harmless stain without a dentist assessing the area.
If you're concerned, you should return to your dentist to examine the area of concern.
Good luck!
Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
