Question:
After receiving a root canal in molar number 14 on Tuesday, a
"temporary filling" was placed. The endodontist told me that it will
last around four weeks, and that I should make an appointment with my dentist to get
the tooth restored in "around a week".
So, I have some questions.
First, my dentist is unable to see me until a week from this
Wednesday, which would make it two weeks. Is this too long? Am I at risk of ruining
the canal treatment if I wait this long?
Second, what is the nature of the temporary filling? Of what is it
typically composed? What does it look like? In my mouth, I can feel a slight
ridge around the filling. It seems that the filling is "depressed", i.e. at
a slightly lower level than the top edge of the tooth. It is sort of
"bowl" shaped. I can also see that the filling is white in color. What is
the indication that the "temporary filling" has fallen out? Is this
something that's blatantly obvious?
Answer:
http://www.zip.com.au/~rgammal/RCTframeset.htm
http://www.ericdavisdental.com/root_canals.htm
http://www.whale.to/d/root2.html
http://www.drshankland.com/rootcanal.html
http://webpages.charter.net/kyarbrough/rootcanals.htm
http://www.dentistry-toothtruth.com/faq.htm
http://www.cfsn.com/maz/
http://cnorman.best.vwh.net/blazing/dental.html
http://rheumatic.org/teeth.htm
http://www.zip.com.au/~rgammal/root_therapies.htm
http://zap.intergate.ca/root.html
http://www.toothwisdom.net/
Any dental medical advice from that particular source can be safely
ignored. You will probably get a direct answer or three from a real dentist
here presently, THAT you will want to pay attention to.
I'm sure one of the dentists here will answer your questions, but until
then, I thought it might be helpful to share my experiences with you.
The temporary fillings I have received from my endodontist have always been
white. He told me they are fairly soft, so it is common for them to wear
down a little and feel depressed to the tongue. He also said in the
unlikely event that one did come out, I should call my dentist, but not to
worry, because the canals are well-sealed. I think if one were to come out,
it would be very obvious.
Most often a material that is fairly easy to remove and doesn't completely
harden is used. Cavit is a common one.
Here is all you could possibly want to know about it:
http://www.3mespe.com.br/downloads/cavit_tech_profile.pdf
It is fairly common that you will feel the edges of the cavity/hole in your
tooth just as you describe. No need to be concerned. It is unlikely that the
whole filling will fall out. Usually they just wear away or dissolve over long
periods, but rarely do the just fall out if placed properly.
I am confident you will be fine, however, if you feel the filling may have been
lost, call your dentist and ask if they can take a 2 minute look, just so you'll
be at ease about it.
