tooth colored fillings Archives - West Seneca Dentist

Pain After a White Filling

Posted on January 8, 2022 by writeradmin.

My wife and I married late in life and by the time we did, we each had our own dentists and doctors pretty well established and just stuck with them. A year or so ago, my wife got one of those white fillings and they looked great. That is why when I ended up needing a filling I asked my dentist to do one of the white fillings. He was reluctant, but I kept saying how much my wife loves them. He finally agreed but warned me about the possibility of an infection from saliva. Now I have this aching where the filling is. Will this clear up on its own? I am a little embarrassed to go back after he warned me. I’m taking Ibuprofen for the pain right now.

Adam

Dear Adam,

Most patients do not know that when a dentist deflects from a procedure, it often means they are not comfortable doing it. Placing amalgam (silver) fillings and placing composite (white) are two very different procedures. Your dentist may not understand how to do them properly. Rather than admit that, he will suggest some other procedure or warn you about problems with the procedure you want. The truth is when composite fillings are placed correctly there is no contamination from saliva. Obviously, he didn’t do them right but because he warned you about possible contamination, there is no recourse.

The problem you have now is what to do about this. When they’re contaminated, bacteria will get in the little tubules of the dentin of your teeth, which can lead to a dental infection. Not only that but the filling is not sealed against continual contamination. Your only real option is to get them replaced. Having your dentist replace them will not work. He obviously can’t do the job properly. You can either switch to your wife’s dentist, who has done a better job at keeping up with the changes in his or her field, or look for another qualified dentist. Any mercury-free dentist will be able to do these correctly.

Another benefit to that is, if you decide to switch out your old amalgam fillings for the updated ones, they will know the safe procedure to do this. Unfortunately, because the main ingredient in amalgam fillings is actually mercury and not silver, you really do need a dentist who knows how to do a sanitary amalgam removal. That way they can keep you from inhaling or swallowing and mercury or mercury vapors, which is a known toxin.

This blog is brought to you by Enfield Dentist Dr. Carl Embury.

Can Sedation Dentists do Unapproved Work?

Posted on May 31, 2018 by iowasmiles.

I learned about dental sedation and became very excited. It sounded like a very easy way for me to finally deal with all the work I need but have been afraid to do. I was thrilled to finally get a healthy mouth. The dentist and I spoke carefully about what needs to be done. I couldn’t afford all of it at once, so I sat down with their business manager afterward and we set up a schedule to spread out the work in a way that allows me to work within my budget. We did the first group of work yesterday. I was thrilled because the appointment was completely painless. I slept through the whole thing. However, today, they called and said that the dentist was able to do extra work because everything went quickly. They told me they’ll send the extra bill in the mail because I was a bit out of it yesterday. Can they do that? I was so shocked they did something off our schedule without getting my permission first I forgot to ask what exactly they did. Now I’m afraid to trust them. How do I know if they’re going to do other things while I’m “Out of it”?

Delaney

Dear Delaney,

I can understand your concern. It’s not only unethical for them to do any work when you don’t consent, but he can get in serious trouble. I’d remind them that you’d only given consent to the original procedures and you shouldn’t be charged for the additional work. If they give you a hard time, tell them you’ll be speaking with the dental board.

I’d also never go back to that office again. They can’t be trusted. I don’t want you to think this is the experience you’d get at another office with sedation. There’s something wrong with the clinic you went to. That’s not your fault. Patients should be able to trust their medical practitioners.

Advantages of Sedation Dentistry

As you’ve already discovered, sedation dentistry is a wonderful way to get work done without any anxiety. It also allows the dentist to do more work then he or she would normally be able to do in one session because you’re so relaxed. However, only with your permission.

I’d go to another sedation dentist in your area and explain what happened at the last office you went to. It will probably save you time and money if you have the plan you’d already come up with. They can evaluate it and make sure the work was in a logical way.

Sometimes even though something isn’t technically the most urgent, it can save you a ton of money. For instance, if you catch decay fast enough and fill it, it’s not urgent but can prevent you from needing a root canal or dental crown.

Though, saving a tooth will be the first priority. You don’t want to have to get expensive tooth replacements.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Warren Krutchick.

Holistic Dental Care for Orthodontics?

Posted on August 30, 2017 by iowasmiles.

My husband recently got a job that has dental insurance. We took our son to the dentist and were told he needed braces and two fillings. Prior to this, my son who’s 14 years old had only been to the dentist twice in his life. Both times after his adult teeth came in. We were told then he needed braces, but as we could barely afford cleanings we knew braces were out of the question. This insurance plan will cover a large portion of any necessary orthodontic care. However, we also found out he’s allergic to some metals. I asked the dentist about non-metal options for braces and he said we should get ceramic braces. I did some research and realized there will still be some metal in his mouth. This worries me. I learned about Invisalign, which doesn’t appear to have any metal. I called the dental office to inquire about those. He said teenagers are never good candidates for Invisalign because the aligners don’t stay in their mouths and they lose them. I’m not sure what to do. Someone told me holistic dentists are metal free. Will they help with orthodontics?

Shayne A.

Dear Shayne,

It’s fantastic that you’re being such a diligent advocate for your son, especially because your dentist seems a bit confused about things. Yes, ceramic braces still have some metal. If your son is allergic to the type of metal used, then that treatment could be a disaster.

When a holistic dentist claims to be metal-free, they’re referring to fillings and crowns. The old amalgam (silver) fillings are loaded with all kinds of metals, including mercury which makes up the majority of its content. Because of this, holistic dentists will only place mercury-free composite fillings. These are commonly called white fillings. With your son’s metal allergies, he should only have composite fillings placed.

Additionally, if he should ever need a crown because of a cracked tooth or a cavity that gets too large for a filling, it’s important he only have all-porcelain crowns placed. Some dentists still placed porcelain fused to metal crowns. Obviously, that will not work in your son’s circumstances.

Regarding his Orthodontics, you won’t have to go to a holistic dentist. Though, given his metal allergies, it’s not a bad idea. Honestly, your idea about using Invisalign was spot on. Your dentist exaggerated just a bit the problems with Invisalign for teenagers. Though, he’s not completely wrong.

Yes, Invisalign is removable. Yes, teenagers tend to lose them more than adults. But, if your son is allergic to metal, it is still your best option. Plus, Invisalign Teen takes the propensity for losing aligners during the teen years into account. Because of that, they allow for a certain number of replacement aligners at no additional cost to the parent. It’s a great treatment, even if you’re not allergic to metal.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Warren Krutchick.

My dentist doesn’t do tooth colored fillings

Posted on December 31, 2015 by iowasmiles.

I wanted to get a tooth colored filling for my cavity, but my dentist doesn’t do those. He says the old ones are better. Should I insist or just get the silver ones?

Brittany – Kansas

Brittany,

I would say no to both your questions. Here’s why.

If you insist, it means your pressuring your dentist to do something he doesn’t have the training to do. The “old” fillings are definitely not better. He’s likely just saying that because he doesn’t have the training to do the procedure. It’s a more complicated technique and getting it wrong will cause you lots of problems.

I also don’t think you shoule give in and get a sub par treatment just because your dentist hasn’t kept up with his chosen field. First, silver (amalgam) fillings weaken your tooth structure. Second, they’re made mostly of mercury, whIch I doubt you want to put in your body.

If I were in your place, I’d find a mercury free dentist. They know how to do white (composite) fillings.

This blog is brought to you by Buffalo Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick