Amalgam Replacement
Video: Silver - metal fillings replaced with tooth colored composites
Post Treatment Pain and Sensitivity Dynamics
Patients undergoing removal and replacement of amalgam, silver mercury tooth filling replacements sometimes have symptoms of pain or sensitivity that preoperatively, didn't exist.
Retreatments may be sometimes indicated, whenever feasible or possible. In other cases, a Root Canal (RCT) may be recommended to eliminate the perception of pain.
What follows is a brief discussion of the procedures and events that can take place during this popular amalgam replacement service.
Tooth Anatomy Basics
Inside every tooth there is pulp tissue which contains blood vessels and a sensory nerve. Every time a tooth is worked on it is traumatized.
As dentists we do what we can to minimize that trauma. By using water in our handpieces, for example, the problem of a tooth overheating is prevented. In many treatments however, there may be traumatization factors that are difficult to control or modify
In cases where the pulp tissue is irritated and is causing a pulpalgia (pain in the dental pulp), the primary question becomes: Is it reversible or non-reversible?
A. If it is reversible it will eventually resolve itself. What determines the ideal or usual time frame will vary from patient to patient.
B. If it is not reversbile, the tooth will probably need root canal therapy. In these situations an endodontic procedure may need to be performed (via your dentist or endodontist) to save the tooth.
No Pretreatment Pain
Patients who report that prior to amalgam replacement they were pain-free but post operatively have significant pain issues may be experiencing symptoms related to the following events:
- Etching acids used to condition the tooth in preparation for the new restoration (filling, onlay, overlay, inlay or crown) may have irritated the tooth if it was exposed too long.
- A microgap exists between the new composite and tooth. When there is a small gap, every time one bits, a sharp pain can occur in these instances.
- Leakage occurs with the new amalgam replacement (crown, overlay, inlay, etc) due to a poor seal. Bacteria accumulates under the restoration and cause sensitvity.
- Irritation due to chemical properties of dental cement, causing pulpalgia.
Post Amalgam Replacement Treatment Options
Pain issues that remain unresolved for a considerable amount of time after treatment, regardless of what cause and effect factors may be operating should be evaluated for Root Canal Therapy (RCT).
There may be some instances however where a restoration can be removed, re-prepared and cemented again (e.g., crown).
Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist
Mitchell Pohl, DDS
2900 N. Military Trail, Suite 105
Boca Raton Florida FL 33431
(561) 368-3440
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