Post-operative sensitivity

  By Guest author, 
 Dr. Abhinaya. J
  Have you ever been in a situation where you just thought you were out of trouble but it comes back and bites you! 
   Yes, I am talking about the sensitivity that you feel after the dental filling (post-operative sensitivity). 
  It’s easy to blame your dentist when you develop sensitivity soon after the filling. But it’s not just our misdeed. Want to know how and why? 
   Do you know what a dental filling is and what actually makes it stay in your previous cavity?
   The decayed portion of the tooth is removed and made clean, devoid of bacteria that was eating away your tooth slowly and filled with a bio-compatible (not toxic/ injurious to living tissue) material.
   Does the dentist choose the filling material or the patient? -We, the dentist normally explain both the benefits and the not so beneficial effects of the material. Later, the patient is allowed to choose. 
   It is human tendency to opt the cheaper one offered than the best one. Not at all times that works out. And sure not at all times one develops sensitivity after the dental filling.
  What happens after the dental filling? -Most of the times, patients are comfortable and they are happy that they corrected their defect. BUT, the worst case scenario is when one develops

•   Sensitivity in the teeth when breathing in cold air, drinking hot or cold liquids
•       Tenderness in the gums
•        Pain surrounding the filling
•       Pain while clenching
•        Discomfort while eating, brushing or flossing

   In case you are wondering what it feels like! - It’s a sudden cold pain that comes quickly and goes away.

What causes all of this discomfort?

·  Pulpitis : It’s the inflammation of the living organ of the tooth called pulp, this happens when the cavity is too large and deep exposing the nerves. Sometimes this is reversible and can be irreversible too. 

   SOLUTION: This solves itself when it is reversible likely in less than a week or two. But, if it is irreversible the dental filling has to be removed and a Root canal treatment is recommended. 

·   A sudden change in bite : After the filling, one feels like biting just on the filled tooth and there is no obvious contact between the rest of the teeth. 

                
 SOLUTION: Getting back all the teeth in contact definitely requires a dentist. True that a dentist can give back your original bite. 
·  Multiple fillings : Getting all the fillings for cavitated teeth is good but with different materials would be a bad choice. 
                               
  SOLUTION : Replacing the filling with the same material used in the previous filling, if you had any would solve the primary problem. 
·  Referred pain: Sometimes the origin of pain is elsewhere but you feel it somewhere else. Every single tooth is connected with the same nerve of the jaw. 
   SOLUTION: It’s up to the dentist to find where the origin is, which I am sure we find it all the time. 
·  Allergic reaction: It’s simply an allergic reaction to the material used. 
   SOLUTION: Replace with a material that one’s not allergic to. 
· If not for all of these, the dental filling breaks and exposes the teeth beneath and causes sensitivity. 

SOLUTION: Remove the old filling and replace with a new sound one.

   Most of it can be avoided than treated differently, just by selecting the right material and right treatment of choice. Filling must be done only when filling gives the best solution not otherwise. So if your dentist suggests a particular treatment protocol don't ask him/her to do a filling anyway.

   Hope you all get your cavities filled and YES make the wise choice on materials as well!

   Stay healthy! Stay Flawless !

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