Last week I decided to see a different dentist. Let me start by explaining that I have excellent dental hygiene. I brush and floss everyday, both in the morning and at night. I stay away from sugary foods and soda too. I work really hard to take good care of my teeth and my previous dentist has told me that my teeth are in great shape. Well, the new dentist I just saw told me that I have five cavities on my back teeth. I had them filled with the composite material.
Ever since that dental appointment, I have been in pain. It hurts when I bite down and I really am wondering if I really had any cavities in the first place. I’m suspicious enough to take my recent x-ray to a new dentist for a second opinion. I saw that x-ray and I didn’t see anything. I know I’m not a dentist but I guess I kind of want to find out if there were really cavities or not. It all just seems fishy to me that I’m now in pain and at my last check-up last year I didn’t have any cavities.
- Rhonda in Oregon
Rhonda,
It may be a possibility that you did have cavities last year and your previous dentist didn’t see them. Sometimes dental x-rays may not be done at the appropriate angle, so it is not out of the realm of possibilities that your last dentist missed them.
Although, if you are feeling suspicious than that is a valid concern. You can request the x-rays and take them for a second opinion. If you decide to follow through with this than you need to tell the new dentist very little to let them make the determination on their own. Also, don’t share the name of the dentist you are checking out. Simply request a second opinion on some recent dental work you had done without planing any seeds of doubt or suspicious activity. You don’t want the dentist to agree with your assessment just so you will come to see him. Also, if the dentists are acquaintances you may not get the best opinion because they may not want to criticize the other one. If you really are after an honest, unbiased opinion you can always go to another city.
In regard to your concern about the pain after your white composite fillings. It is possible that they were not bonded correctly. One way to test that theory is when you clench your teeth together, does it hurt? Or is the pain only while chewing? If the pain happens only when you are chewing, there may be an issue with the bonding. If clenching your teeth hurts, a simple bite adjustment may do the trick. But if the pain continues, it is possible the fillings may need to be replaced.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.
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