Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 2/17/2009

Question
Hi there,
I've had a molar that's has been bothering me every now and then for over a year when I chew and more recently I experience a little sensitivity to cold. Also, on the chewing surface of the tooth there is a little hole. I had a cleaning today and mentionned it to my dentist. The routine x-rays were taken and nothing abnormal was found. He then had me bite down on something to determine where it was senstive and said he couldn't trick me, there is definately one spot that is sensitive. They took another x-ray of the root and once again found nothing abnormal. SO, he wants me to get the small hole filled and hopes that will help out with the sensitivity to cold, but isn't sure about what could be causing the pain when I bite down. For now he just wants to watch it.
My question is whether you could think of anything that would be causing this pain. It's now at the point where I've switched over to chewing on the other side to avoid the pain without realizing. I understand it's hard for you to know what's going on without x-rays or an exam, but anything you can think of would be helpful.
Thank you!

Answer
Hi Kim

the likeliest is either a hairline crack in the tooth, or symptoms caused by this small cavity.

Hairline cracks are notoriously difficult to find and treat, and I would be inclined to think you should have this hole repaired first.

Regards

Tony Appleton