Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 11/24/2006

Question
I just recently (past 10 days) had a tooth filled. It wasn't hurting or anything, but the cavity was there on xrays at the base of the gumline. Since then, my lower gum on that side has become sore and swollen and the new filling is extremely sensitive to cold and hot. My sister says it sounds like root canal time, but I'm a little reluctant to go back to the dentist that did the filling, since it has gotten so much worse since he did his work. Any thoughts?  

Answer
Dear Sue,

Increased sensitivity following a deep filling is a common event. Rather than being the fault of the filling itself, it owes more to the timing-- most of these cases of postoperative sensitivity are in situations where the repair of the cavity was delayed, causing it to be deep and close to the pulp (nerve). Gumline fillings are particularly problematic, since the pulp is closer to the surface at this location on the tooth.

You can infer some useful information from the quality of the pain. For example, if the tooth complains briefly after exposure to cold and then recovers quickly, that is a more innocent type of sensitivity than if the tooth continues to throb for several minutes after the cold stimulus has been removed.

In any case, these types of symptoms are not uncommon, and often resolve without any further treatment if enough time is allowed for the tooth to recover-- sometimes as long as several weeks. However, if the pain is particularly severe, or fails to improve, or increases in severity over time, this is of course an ominous sign, and suggests that a root canal treatment may indeed be in your future.

Good luck!

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY