Sensitivity after white filling

[Jemaine]

Hello

I recently had one of my silver fillings changed to a white filling and since the day that the filling was changed, the tooth in question has become very sensitive.

Its now sensitive to cold when ever I drink cold drinks. Over the last two months, there is still no improvement with the tooth sensitivity and its almost the same.

I wonder if you could tell me if anything can be done to stop this sensitivity and return the tooth back to normal. Also why has a tooth that was perfectly OK before the filling change, has now become so sensitive?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank your for your question.

What you have experienced is very common and does take place with white/composite fillings. The sensitivity after white filling can be result of several possibilities but the commonest cause is the shrinkage of the material as they are set by the application of the curing light as it sets the composite material.

The sensitivity usually settles with time. Sometimes it takes a long time but after few months, if not fully settled, then at least it should have improved. If still it has not, then you may need to have the filling replaced. Again it is very common that after replacing amalgam fillings this happens a lot and worries a lot of patients but no need to worry.