You are here:

Dentistry/Filling Problem

Advertisement


Question
My fiancee had a tooth filled about 3 weeks ago. The dentist used a "high tech" tool to find cavities to before they get bad. A few days later he starts complaining about sensitivity in one of the teeth they filled. Today we went to the dentist and the dentist said my fiancee needs a root canal. Is it possible that the dentist made an error during the filling procedure and damaged the nerve?

Answer
Hi Penni

Having any filling irritates the pulp in the middle of the tooth. Generally this settles very quickly and you are not even aware of it, but occasionally symptoms persist and further treatment is required.  It could be this was a very deep cavity that the dentist initially thought would be OK with a normal filling.  This happens sometimes and then the pulp flares up and root canal is an option.

The dentist could in theory have damaged the pulp, although that is unlikely as he would have then known that root canal was needed at that point.

Regards

Tony Appleton

Dentistry

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


Tony Appleton BDS DPDS

Expertise

I am an experienced general dental practitioner in private dental practice. I have worked for the past 25 or so years in the UK, and own a busy practice in Stratford upon Avon, Stratford Dental. From early 2012 my wife and I moved to Canberra, Australia, where I have taken up the position of Lead Dentist in a large city-centre practice. I will happily answer questions related to general practice, and have interests in endodontics (root canal), dental implants, CEREC/E4D cad-cam dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

Experience

I have been a general dental practitioner for over 25 years, working initially under the NHS, but since 2001 have been solely in private practice. I run a busy practice with my wife, Lisa, who is also a dentist. I have also been closely involved in the training of young dentists, and have lectured to dentists on a variety of subjects, both clinical and managerial, related to general dental practice.

Organizations

Church Street Dental Practice

Stratford Dental

Modern Dentistry

British Dental Association



Publications

British Dental Journal

Cancer Treatment Reviews



Education/Credentials
BDS Sheffield 1986 DPDS Bristol 2001

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.