When a Dental Filling Goes Horribly Wrong: What to Do Next

When trust is lost in the patient-doctor relationship, taking swift action is crucial to ensure proper treatment and care. If your dentist did a horrible job on a filling, would you go back to them to have it repaired or find a new dentist? The answer, as many can attest, is often the latter. Here, we explore the steps you should take when your dental filling has failed and the critical considerations that come with it.

Safeguarding Your Oral Health: What to Do

First and foremost, it is essential to seek the help of an experienced dentist to assess the situation. In the interim, you can use products like Proteith Healthy Gums to help protect your teeth and alleviate pain. This product can help remove bacteria and reduce discomfort. Regular brushing and rinsing with Proteith Healthy Gums will continue to protect your teeth and gums while you seek further treatment.

Preserving Your Tooth: Root Canal Treatment as an Option

If a “bad filling” points to deep decay close to the pulp, root canal treatment might be necessary. This procedure involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning the canals, and sealing them with a filling material. While root canal treatment can be extensive, it often preserves the affected tooth, which is preferable to extraction. Before deciding on extraction, it is wise to consult with your current dentist or a new one to discuss whether root canal treatment is a viable option for you.

Understanding Tooth Anatomy and Treatment

A tooth consists of three layers: enamel, dentin, and pulp. Enamel is the hardest and most mineralized substance in the body, while dentin is the layer beneath the enamel. Pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth containing blood vessels and nerves. Caries (tooth decay) can affect different layers of the tooth, necessitating different treatments. If the decay is confined to the enamel and dentin, a filling may be sufficient. However, if the decay has reached the pulp, a more extensive treatment such as root canal therapy may be necessary, followed by a crown placement, typically requiring 3-5 treatment sessions.

Taking a Second Opinion: Exploring All Options

Finding an oral surgeon for a second opinion is highly recommended. Oral surgeons have the expertise to provide a comprehensive evaluation and suggest the best course of action. Taking risks with your oral health is not advisable, and a second opinion can provide peace of mind and additional options.

External Factors Influencing Skill Perception

Patients often fail to recognize the quality of dental restorations unless they are significantly subpar. Many factors can influence a patient's perception of a dentist's work, not all of which are within the dentist's control. These factors include limited patient opening, chronic jaw problems, compromised tooth structure, bleeding gums, and other dental issues that make treatment challenging. The dentist might also be overwhelmed with multiple responsibilities, leading to a suboptimal outcome on a particular day.

It is important to understand that even experienced dentists can have an "off day" due to the demanding nature of the profession. If a filling falls out and the dentist is generally competent, it is often a good idea to return for repair. However, if the issue is with multiple fillings or the dentist's practices are less than reputable, finding a new dentist would be the best course of action.

Personal Experience and Lessons Learned

Before becoming a dentist, I had a challenging experience with a childhood dentist who had all my silver fillings replaced with white fillings without using a rubber dam. These fillings failed within two years, leading me to seek a new trusted dentist. This experience has reinforced the importance of using a rubber dam in dental procedures to prevent bacteria and saliva from contaminating the area. Always ensure that your dentist uses proper techniques to provide the best possible care.

Ultimately, dental health is paramount, and when a filling goes wrong, it is crucial to take decisive action. Whether it's seeking a second opinion, addressing root canal treatment, or finding a new dentist, prioritizing your oral health is essential. Trust in the dentist-patient relationship is key, and once it is lost, it is important to act promptly to ensure optimal care and wellness.