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Dental Health (Expert Forum)
New Filling & Possible Root Canal?
Answered by
Jerome Bogin, D.D.S. - Dental
Questions in the Dental Health forum are answered by Dr. Jerome Tsang and Dr. Jerome Bogin. Topics covered include bridges, cavities, crowns, and x-rays.
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New Filling & Possible Root Canal?
by GMT, May 24, 2007 12:00AM
I have never had a cavity until now, I am 26. I recently moved to the NYC area. Prior to moving I went to a dentist and he said that I had 3 cavities. When I moved I immediately found a dentist & got x-rays & cleaning. She said I had 4 cavities. I got 3 filled so far. The 4th one she could not do even though she was supposed to b/c I was sooo nervous and the shots were not working b/c i could feel the drill in the tooth. So I have a temp filling and have to go back. I am scared I will be nervous again and the shots of novacaine won`t take. One of the other fillings I got is now hurting, it is sensitive to cold. She said I may need a root canal. Could it be that she filled it wrong? It never hurt when it was a cavity. It is only cold & hot sensitve, it doesn`t hurt to chew or anything else. My question is, could she have messed up the filling where cold & hot are making it hurt or not? Is that the sign of needing a root canal? Does nitrois oxide help with the nervousness? She did not offer it to me so I am not sure if she uses it. Maybe I should find a dentist that does. I work in NYC.
Doctor's Answer
by Jerome Bogin, D.D.S. , May 24, 2007 12:00AM
, May 24, 2007 12:00AM
Firstly, it is not unusual for the tooth to be sensitive to hot and cold after a filling is placed. This does not necessarily signal the need for root canal therapy. If the filling was deep then the possibility for rct is present. I would allow the symptoms and the duration of such to determine the need for further treatment.Nitrous oxide does give you a state of euphoria which might help in getting the injection but if the anesthesia is not effective it really doesn't matter whetheryou had the nitrous or not. I would try to relax and see if the novocaine will be effective this time. I am guessing that it is a lower tooth and they are sometimes difficult to anesthesized.
Member Comments (4)
by mike1105, May 24, 2007 12:00AM
sensitivity happens sometimes, especially with white (composite) fillings. if it is not deep, i personally would want to try a silver amalgam filling with a medicated base before having root canal treatment, which usually also means a crown. silver fillings dont cause nearly the same sensitivity issues as composites. Nitrous oxide indeed should help the nervousness. I would imagine you are talking about a lower tooth perhaps towrds the back which are harder to anesthetize.... the dentist probably just "missed the nerve" it happens.
by GMT, May 24, 2007 12:00AM
it is a white filling. it is a deep cavity- she said she was worried about it. but i was good for 2 weeks following the filling, but now it is sensitive. who knows. thanks for the info.
by mike1105, May 24, 2007 12:00AM
if all the decay is gone, i'd still think about replacing it with an amalgam with a medicated base.
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