Pain After White Filling

I needed a filling. My dentist wanted to do an amalgam filling because he said they are better on back teeth. I didn’t want that, but wanted a white filling which doesn’t have mercury. He kept insisting the other would be better. I told him I’d go elsewhere to get the white filling. He said he’d do the white filling if that is what I really want. Now I am wondering if he is right. I’ve had nothing but pain in that tooth since getting the filling, especially when I bite down. Should I have gotten the silver filling?

Cathey

Dear Cathey,

before and after mercury-free fillings

The problem isn’t that you had a composite filling placed on your back tooth. The problem is you backed your dentist into doing a procedure he wasn’t trained to do. He sounds like an old-school dentist who hasn’t learned the newer procedures. So, rather than tell you he doesn’t know how to do composite fillings, he tries to convince you it is not a good procedure for you.

When he felt cornered, he agreed to do it. Unfortunately, the procedure for bonding composite fillings is totally different than the one for bonding amalgam fillings. When it isn’t done properly, there will be issues such as what you’re facing. Your dentist could try to adjust the filling or completely re-do it. That is no guarantee. He still won’t be any more skilled.

Your best option would be to see a mercury-free dentist. They only place composite fillings and can either fix your filling or replace it.

It May Be Time to Find a New Dentist

Ten years ago, I would say it was okay for a dentist to not understand the composite filling procedure. Not anymore. This is pretty standard at this point. If he’s not keeping up with the advancements in his field, he’s not serving his patients well. I’d like you to consider starting the search for a new dentist.

Check out some websites of dentists in your area. See that they’re keeping up with things. They should not just do white fillings, but some basic cosmetic work, like teeth whitening. Also look for things like dental implants to make sure they’re keeping up with the tooth replacement advancements.

Before settling, check their reviews. You want to make sure patients that have been there have had good experiences with not just the dentist but their support staff as well.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.