Hi Pennye,

Thank you for the picture but it does not show the gum line where the plaque would be accumulated. However it does show very large old mercury fillings. I can see why he recommended crowns on those two teeth. Replacing them with new large fillings will probably not help with sensitivity as it may make them more sensitive to cold. Filling materials are not meant to be used for such large fillings in the first place because the material fractures allowing bacteria and temperature to get in underneath. This holds true for mercury and composite filling material.

The first pre molar could probably get away with a new composite filling but the second pre molar filling is quite large. Depending on how deep this filling is would determine if a filling would be adequate or not.

Also, fairly often mercury fillings are very irritating to the gum tissue. So what happens is the gums start to recede away from the filling causing irritation and sensitivity. This also predisposes these areas to accumulate more plaque also. This could be part of what is happening in your case.

Bryanna


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