Is there a problem with my onlay? should I get a second opinion?
Q.
Hi – I had an onlay fitted last June and it has been sensitive to cold (especially) ever since and there has been no improvement. I went back to my dentist in July and said it felt like there was a gap in the join as I felt sensitivity down to the root. He gave me a flouride toothpaste but this did not help. I went back in Sep last year for a second opinion after making a complaint. I was told by the senior dentist that she couldn’t find any gaps and that given time the sensitivity would go away and to come back in 6 months. She said that I was fortunate to have been given an onlay as they were expensive for the NHS. I had an appointment yesterday and told the dentist that the sensitivity had not improved and I felt there was something wrong. She gave me the impression that I was making too much of it and that I wasn’t comparing like with like as I had no other sensitive teeth. I told her that I had sensitivity to cold when eating fruit and she told me not to eat cold things on that side of my mouth! She said that sensitivity was often worse in cold weather even though I have had the problem since summer of last year. I asked if I an xray would show up if there were any gaps and she said it might and might not but grudgingly agreed to do one. When the xray came through she pointed out that the onlay on one side was very close to the nerve of my tooth which could be causing the sensitivity. At this point she looked as though she was finally taking me seriously. I said to her “so the dentist cut too much of my tooth away?” she didn’t give a direct answer but said that the dentist had to create a stable platform for the onlay which the previous dentist felt was the best option for me. Again the advice was to monitor it and come back again in 6 months. She was quite flippant explaining that I could have the tooth taken out which would take the sensitivity away completely or the nerves could be killed and it was not a difficult procedure. I said that I did not want this and I did not want a gap. I said I did not want a bridge which would damage the teeth either side. I asked if the onlay could be removed and something placed over the exposed nerve to protect it which she said was an option when I came back next time.
I would really appreciate your impartial advice on this. I have no other fillings and have always looked after my teeth. If I lose this tooth it will be because of poor treatment by the dentist. Would a white filling have been better option although I was advised at the time that an onlay was the best long term solution.
I would like to retain what tooth I have left and need advice on whether I should insist that the onlay be removed straight away and the exposed nerve protected as I am concerned that every time I eat or drink something cold it is traumatising the nerve further. I would also like to complain about the dentist who carried out the initial work and the response by the senior dentist as both seemed to have shrugged their shoulders at the problem. Losing a tooth is a big deal to me and I feel as though as I am being fobbed off and any further delay would result in the definite loss of my tooth.
I would be grateful for your comments.
Hi – I had an onlay fitted last June and it has been sensitive to cold (especially) ever since and there has been no improvement. I went back to my dentist in July and said it felt like there was a gap in the join as I felt sensitivity down to the root. He gave me a flouride toothpaste but this did not help. I went back in Sep last year for a second opinion after making a complaint. I was told by the senior dentist that she couldn’t find any gaps and that given time the sensitivity would go away and to come back in 6 months. She said that I was fortunate to have been given an onlay as they were expensive for the NHS. I had an appointment yesterday and told the dentist that the sensitivity had not improved and I felt there was something wrong. She gave me the impression that I was making too much of it and that I wasn’t comparing like with like as I had no other sensitive teeth. I told her that I had sensitivity to cold when eating fruit and she told me not to eat cold things on that side of my mouth! She said that sensitivity was often worse in cold weather even though I have had the problem since summer of last year. I asked if I an xray would show up if there were any gaps and she said it might and might not but grudgingly agreed to do one. When the xray came through she pointed out that the onlay on one side was very close to the nerve of my tooth which could be causing the sensitivity. At this point she looked as though she was finally taking me seriously. I said to her “so the dentist cut too much of my tooth away?” she didn’t give a direct answer but said that the dentist had to create a stable platform for the onlay which the previous dentist felt was the best option for me. Again the advice was to monitor it and come back again in 6 months. She was quite flippant explaining that I could have the tooth taken out which would take the sensitivity away completely or the nerves could be killed and it was not a difficult procedure. I said that I did not want this and I did not want a gap. I said I did not want a bridge which would damage the teeth either side. I asked if the onlay could be removed and something placed over the exposed nerve to protect it which she said was an option when I came back next time.
I would really appreciate your impartial advice on this. I have no other fillings and have always looked after my teeth. If I lose this tooth it will be because of poor treatment by the dentist. Would a white filling have been better option although I was advised at the time that an onlay was the best long term solution.
I would like to retain what tooth I have left and need advice on whether I should insist that the onlay be removed straight away and the exposed nerve protected as I am concerned that every time I eat or drink something cold it is traumatising the nerve further. I would also like to complain about the dentist who carried out the initial work and the response by the senior dentist as both seemed to have shrugged their shoulders at the problem. Losing a tooth is a big deal to me and I feel as though as I am being fobbed off and any further delay would result in the definite loss of my tooth.
I would be grateful for your comments.
A.
Initially I presume you had decay in your tooth or an existing filling that required replacement. When teeth are restored the act of removing decay can make the hole deeper and get close to the nerve of your tooth. This is not the fault of your dentist. The symptoms that would then indicate that you need a root canal treatment are usually pain with cold initially followed by hot as the nerve dies and pain on biting with loss of sleep. Your symptoms of sensitivity to cold are probably of reversible inflammation of the nerve of your tooth which is why your dentist has been reluctant to give you further treatment. It seems from your Email that there has been a break down in communication between the dentist and you. I would seek a second opinion from another dental practice.
Initially I presume you had decay in your tooth or an existing filling that required replacement. When teeth are restored the act of removing decay can make the hole deeper and get close to the nerve of your tooth. This is not the fault of your dentist. The symptoms that would then indicate that you need a root canal treatment are usually pain with cold initially followed by hot as the nerve dies and pain on biting with loss of sleep. Your symptoms of sensitivity to cold are probably of reversible inflammation of the nerve of your tooth which is why your dentist has been reluctant to give you further treatment. It seems from your Email that there has been a break down in communication between the dentist and you. I would seek a second opinion from another dental practice.
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