Thanks Bryanna-

You may think I am nuts, but now the tooth feels like I can move it with my tongue.

Nothing broke off. I went in for my bi-annual, feeling fine. So do you think it needs to be redone?

ACtually, I think I had this cavity/decay at the last appt, because it was a non xray appt, and I remember when he probed my mouth (less than 30 seconds), he was probing that area...and I said then, if I have a cavity, even if it is small, fill it now. He said it was OK.

I was looking for some natural dental products at CVS and could not find any.

Hi Stacy,

I think the filling may be in a weird spot. On the xray (which is only 2 dimensional) it appears that it has taken the place of one of the cusps on the tooth. If you can picture the pointy cusps on the tooth, there are say 4 of them on this tooth. He removed one and put a filling there. This type of restoration is prone to fracture because the cusps take a lot of abuse when chewing. So even if it had a hairline fracture in the filling you would get some sensitivity to temperatures and/or discomfort or pain or a feeling of something loose depending on how you bit down on it. Am I being clear on that explanation? If the restoration were to be redone, he could extend the filling into the biting surface of the tooth a little bit to give it more retention.

Also, if this restoration is not fitting properly into your existing bite then as you grind/clench or chew you are hitting into it unnaturally and that would cause the ligament to become inflamed which could also cause the tooth to feel loose. This situation eventually leads to an irritated nerve and then onto an infection.

Healthy oral products are often found in health food stores, some really big drug stores and online. I buy many products online from vitacost.com. They have a great selection and great prices!

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna-

The xray is a paper copy of what he gave me to give to the endodontist. Could I call them and ask them to email me my Xrays?

To me, in his mind, he has passed me off to the endodontist...No longer is it his probelm.

Maybe I should call my CC co and protest the charge until it is done correctly? However I believe that would be conflictual and they would not help me at all.

He has tested my bite w/ "carbon copy"paper numerous times.

I am so disgusted at this point.

I do not think I am clenching at night, but perhaps I should wear a night guard just in case?

Hi Stacy,

If the xray is digital, then you could have him email it to you.

I think the dentist was trying to be conservative with this filling and in doing so he may not have extended the filling into the occlusal surface. That is not really something to be mad about as he may have felt it would hold up okay in your mouth and with your bite. Some people have so many restorations and/or their bite is so horrendous that these types of fillings always have to be made larger or they won't hold up.

Calling the credit card company is not going to really be helpful. If you want this filling to be replaced, then just talk to him about it. Let him know that you have no intentions of having a root canal (if that is what you feel in general) and should the filling be redone to be made a little differently so that it is not just the cusp of the tooth.

He has tested your bite..... has he tested it while you were in a sitting position? Or just when you were lying down? The jaw shifts back when lying down and more forward when sitting up. The bite should always be tested in both positions. MANY dentists rarely do this and I have no idea why!

I thought you mentioned that you were clenching at night and your jaw was sore in the morning?? I could be thinking of someone else here...

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna-

Yes, It was a digital Xray.

I forget if I was reclined or sitting up when he checked my bite...probably reclined.

I definitely do not want a root canal, nor do I want to see the endodontist.

I think he passed me off as he knows my dental insurance was up at then end of June. Honestly.

I do not think I am clenching...but in case I am and not realizing it, could a night guard hurt?

Also, is it ok to use the sonic care TB on that tooth?

Hi Stacy,

If the dentist were to redo the filling at this time, he would not charge you again. It is not unusual for a conventional dentist to refer out to an endodontist without any hesitation because they usually are of the mindset that root canals are just a "tooth" issue. They don't think past that.

A night guard can help put the jaw at rest when you sleep. But it has to be made to fit properly over your bite.

I would hold off on using the electric toothbrush on that tooth until it has completely calmed down and stayed calm for a few weeks.

Bryanna