My dentist replaced three silver fillings with white ones in April. I have symptoms in all three fillings, which concerns me. If only one filling was uncomfortable, I would be more inclined to let my dentist replace it, but I am skeptical. I feel moderate pain when I eat, mild sensitivity to heat and cold, moderate pain after dinner, and left jaw and tonsil discomfort. I also feel some tingling and numbness in my jaw and chin. I don’t feel any pain in the mornings, though.

I cringe with the thought of finding a new dentist because it always takes me so long to find one that I like and trust. I thought I would have this dentist for years, but these faulty fillings make me nervous. Do my symptoms sound like I need new filings? – Thank you. Kristina from Hartford, DT

 

Kristina,

Thank you for contacting our office. Dr. Delaune would need to x-ray and examine your teeth and fillings to identify the cause of your symptoms, but we will explain what might be causing them.

What Causes Moderate Pain When Chewing on a New Filling?

If you feel moderate pain when chewing on teeth with new fillings, two possible causes include:

• Your dentist placed a large filling that changed your bite.
• The ligament that connects your tooth and jawbone experienced trauma during the procedure.

Why Is a New Dental Filling Sensitive to Cold?

When you feel mild sensitivity to cold after a dental filling, the tooth pulp may be irritated from the process of removing the decay. If the sensitivity does not gradually improve, a dentist needs to examine your teeth and fillings.

Why Do You Feel Moderate Pain in New Dental Fillings?

Continuous moderate pain in a tooth may mean that bacteria entered your tooth pulp. Your dentist may not be at fault because bacteria can enter the pulp while removing tooth decay. Your body can get rid of small amounts of bacteria, but your dentist may need to intervene if your symptoms do not improve.

What Causes Jaw and Tonsil Pain After a Dental Filling?

If you feel jaw and tonsil pain after a dental filling, the position of your mouth or jaw during the procedure may have stressed your muscles. The symptoms will improve.

What Causes Jaw Numbness and Tingling After a Dental Filling?

Lingering numbness and tingling after a dental filling means that your dentist may have slightly nicked a nerve with the numbing needle. The sensations will go away in time.

Request a Second Opinion for Your Dental Fillings

If you are not confident about your dentist’s ability to resolve the issue, you can schedule an appointment for a second opinion. Look for a dentist with advanced training and experience in cosmetic dentistry and placing mercury-free composite fillings.

 

Metairie, Louisiana, cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.