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Dentistry/Tooth Fillings

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Expert: - 4/10/2006


Question
I have been going to the dentist twice a year for my entire life.  Ive never needed a filling before, and then when I go to seek out a new dentist, I'm told that I need like 5-10 fillings.  I think this is BS and then go to another dentist.  This new dentist tells me my teeth are fine.  So I think the first dentist is a wack job.  

Well, after going to this second dentist for about a year, he tells me that I need fillings.  I think that I might actually need some.  So I get two done on the top right part of my mouth.  Then he tells me that I need two more on the bottom of my mouth and get those filled.

I have two questions:

1. Is it possible to have no cavities your entire life and then 6 months after a dentist visit for something like 5 cavities to appear? Without having any tooth pain?  Wouldnt I be having some sort of tooth pain if I needed a filling?  I am quite skeptical to these dentists saying I need filling just so I pay them money to do so when I really dont need them done at all.

2. So I got my bottom two teeth filled, and now 2 wks later, they are sensitive.  They hurt when I chew food on that side of my mouth and are sensitive to cold water as well.  Do you think they damamged my tooth to the point where I'm going to need a root canal?

Answer
Dear Alice:  It is possible to have no cavities your entire life, and then get cavities.  The vast majority of cavities present with no tooth pain.  Sometimes patients feel pain (or vague sensitivity, often to cold or sweet), when the decay first reaches the dentin.  But more often, pain begins when the decay has reached and infected the nerve inside the tooth.  It is possible that your original dentist had seen these areas, and watched them not grow into deeper decay, whereas the new dentists know that even small areas of decay represent infection in the teeth, which can become serious.  When do you treat your home for termites, when you first notice them, or when your house begins to fall apart?
    New fillings are sometimes sensitive to cold and pressure for several weeks after being placed.  If this sensitivity is not decreasing, it may be that the bite on these fillings is high.  You may wish to return to the dentist to have them checked.  No root canals yet.  dd

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Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO

Expertise

I am a Family, Implant and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.

Experience

Having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. After moving to Florida, I spent nearly 10 years re-honing my skills while working as an Associate Dentist for several large dental groups. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center (floridaimplantcenter.com). On March 1, 2010, at the age of 62, I began all over again by buying a dental practice near my home in the Fort Lauderdale area. As sole owner and Chief Dental Officer of the new Nob Hill Dental Center (nobhilldentalcenter.com), I can now carefully provide dental care to patients who care, all within a caring, joyful environment. Over my career lifetime, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.

Organizations
American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, Atlantic Coast District Dental Society, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Alpha Omega Alumni Association, and American Association of Dental Implantologists. Formerly, American Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society, Detroit District Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Health Council (a charitable dental care organization)

Publications
"How To Save Money At The Dentist" Going to press soon.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from Wayne State University Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Detroit College of Dentistry Adjunct Clinical Professor, Special Needs Department, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Awards and Honors
Membership in The Vedder Honors Society

Past/Present Clients
HIPAA rules do not allow me to post this information.

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