Question:
Several months ago I had a filling on a lower second molar. The cavity was
in between that tooth and my rear molar on that side. Previous to this
filling there was no pain whatsoever, after the filling it hurt to chew
harder foods on that tooth. I returned to have the bite adjusted twice
neither time curing the pain. The next time I returned the dentist
determined that the tooth was cracked and would require a crown. It appears
to me that the dentist cracked my tooth during the filling. My question is:
does a sunstantial filling in that location often lead to a tooth cracking,
or is it possible that the dentist is at fault for cracking the tooth?
Answer:
If your dentist was rough enough to crack a solid tooth during treatment,
you should expect to be bruised and your entire face would be sore. Prior
to that point, you would have punched him or sued for assault.
In reality, 4% of large fillings go on to needing root canal treatment
regardless of how they are treated. I don't have any idea what reason your
filing was replaced. Given the present history, I would suspect that the
crack caused some problem which was detected and an attempt to treat it
with a new filling was done. That is the proper way to start treatment on
any tooth with an old filling.
I think you are picturing the chicken before the egg and I am seeing the
egg first.
If I inform before I perform then the patient thinks that I am brilliant. If I inform after I perform, then the patient thinks that I am making excuses. Would you agree?
Below you will find a document that I try very hard to have each patient read and sign especially if I think they are poorly educated about dental treatment. Please note that I am not say you are in that category, but just the same, we are all ignorant about a lot of issues aren't we?
The Document follows, read and think about it. If you still have questions, ask you dentist, OK? He or she is not out to harm you and would truly appreciate the opportunity to discuss issues that are important to you. (I stole the idea from my kid's orthodontic office and changed it for my needs! Anyone on this newsgroup may copy and use this as they see fit as far as I am concerned.)
I'm not a restorative dentist but from what I remember of doing fillings and
such, cracking a tooth is pretty unlikely. More than likely the tooth was
cracked and the filling just brought it to light.
