Do Dentists Ever Fill The Wrong Tooth?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do dentists ever fill the wrong tooth? Despite their simplicity,

there are a number of different things that can go wrong with a cavity filling

. In most instances, any of the following are caused by substandard dental care.

Can a dentist do a filling wrong?


A large filling can also weaken the tooth

and should this filling fail, it may be the case that the structure of the tooth is so damaged that it requires root canal treatment and a crown. In severe cases, a person may lose their tooth if it has developed further decay and the substandard filling cannot be replaced.

How do you know if a filling is wrong?

  • The Contours of Your Teeth Feel “Off” Our tongues are finely tuned to any disturbances in your teeth. …
  • Increased Sensitivity. Our enamel insulates a tooth’s inner nerves from drastic temperature changes. …
  • Discomfort When Eating. …
  • Other Considerations.

Can a root canal be done on the wrong tooth?

Can you put a filling on top of another filling?

Although uncommon,

if your composite filling needs a touchup, we can repair it by adding more composite material

. Its easy application, durability, and natural aesthetics make composite the preferred material for fillings among our dentists as well.

Do fillings smooth out over time?

Roughness. Because your new filling is not comprised of the same bone as your original tooth, you may notice a difference in how it feels. Your new filling might feel rough to your tongue. Follow your regular brushing schedule and

your filling will begin to smooth out

.

Will a high filling fix itself?

How Do I Fix a High Filling? In most cases,

high fillings will need to be ground down and leveled by the applying dentist

. Usually, grounding down the high filling will result in diminished pain and increased comfort.

How long until a filling feels normal?

While the majority of cavity fillings stop being sensitive after a day or two,

some could take as much as two weeks

to feel better. Even then, it may not be a cause for concern. If a cavity was deep or in a location used for heavy chewing, it might take longer to heal.

Why does my tooth hurt even after filling?

Short-term tooth sensitivity after a filling usually occurs because

the filling procedure has aggravated or caused inflammation in the nerve inside the tooth

. Usually, the tooth’s outer layers — the enamel and cementum — protect the nerve from exposure.

How do I know if my dentist messed up my root canal?

  1. Sensitivity when biting down.
  2. A pimple or boil on the jaw.
  3. Discoloration of the tooth.
  4. Tenderness in the gum tissue near where the root canal was performed.
  5. Pain in the tooth you had treated.
  6. Presence of pus-filled abscesses near the treated tooth.
  7. Facial or neck swelling.

What happens when a root canal is done wrong?

If one of these canals is missed and not treated,

an infection will ultimately develop and can potentially form a painful abscess

. Obstruction: An obstruction (such as another tooth, filling material, etc.) may make it impossible for the dentist to reach and thoroughly clean the entirety of the canal affected.

When is a root canal unnecessary?

Swelling due to a nerve abscess can be treated with a root canal; however,

if your swollen gums are caused by a gum abscess

, then you do not need a root canal.

Is replacing a filling painful?


Dental fillings can hurt in some instances

. But most cause little to no discomfort during the procedure. If you’re avoiding your dental checkup over concerns about pain, take a deep breath, and read on.

How many times can fillings be replaced?

A patient with resin fillings may need to replace the fillings

every seven to 10 years

. Silver or amalgam fillings are also popular due to their durability and affordability, lasting an average of 15 years.

How many fillings is too many?


There is no single number of how many times you can have a filling replaced

. Usually, we will stop replacing the dental filling after the hole becomes too large. Once you have more filling material than natural tooth material your tooth no longer holds enough strength.

Why does my new filling feel weird?

Some people experience discomfort or tooth sensitivity following a filling. This can be due to

nerve irritation, an allergic reaction, or incorrect bite alignment

. Sensitivity after a dental filling is common, and it typically subsides with time.

Is it normal for bite to feel weird after a filling?

Sometimes, patients notice that once the numbing wears off, their bite feels different after the filling or crown has been placed.

This can be a relatively common occurrence

.

Should my teeth feel rough after a filling?

Although the fillings are polished before you leave,

they may feel slightly gritty at first

. This should go away after a couple of days.

Can a filling be adjusted?

How common is a high filling?

Getting one or more teeth filled is never a fun process, but it is

very common

and it often goes on without a hitch. Occasionally, you will go home after getting a filling and realize that your filling is not sitting quite right in your mouth to where it contacts the opposing tooth and causes discomfort.

What happens if a filling is too big?

Once a filling becomes too wide or too deep,

the integrity of the tooth is compromised

. Large fillings destabilize teeth and, over time, biting forces from the opposing teeth can cause cracks, breakage, inflamed roots and pain. Biting forces can cause the tooth to crack at the base.

What are the disadvantages of tooth filling?

There are two main risks to getting fillings:

infection and damage

. Sometimes when you get a filling, it can pull away from the tooth which leaves a small space open. This space is an area where bacteria can get in and cause more tooth decay and infection. Cavity fillings can also break or fall out completely.

What not to do after filling?

It is best to

avoid any hard, chewy, or sticky foods

after a dental filling for up to two weeks. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity you may also benefit from avoiding hot or cold drinks and foods. There is no need to wait to brush your teeth after a dental filling.

How many fillings can be done at once?

How many cavities can a dentist fill at once?

Most dentists will not perform more than 4 fillings in one sitting

. Technically there is no limit to home many fillings can be given at a time however it is not recommended to have more than 4.

When a filling is too close to the nerve?

If the filling is too close to the nerve,

it may get infected slowly

. Dentists can’t predict the time frame for the tooth to become infected. If infected, you may experience a throbbing pain or a dental abscess.

Do deep fillings lead to root canals?

If your tooth has decay to the enamel or dentin, a simple filling is enough to repair the cavity. However, if the cavity is left untreated, the decay will reach the deepest layer of the tooth, the nerve tissue. At this point,

a root canal is necessary to repair the tooth.

Why can’ti floss between my teeth after I’ve just got a cavity filling?

If little bit of filling over flows between the teeth, this will happen.

It needs to be cleared from between the teeth and will be done by the dentist

. Go back to the dentist, and he may have to adjust the fillings between the teeth a bit.

How many times can you redo a root canal?

Can Root Canal Treatment Be Repeated? Although a dentist can do a second or third root canal treatment—or more—on a tooth,

the results are unpredictable

. Even the most skilled dentists can perform root canal treatment that fails. Studies show that root canal treatment has an 86 – 98% success rate.

What does a failed root canal feel like?

Can I get a refund for failed root canal?

Do all root canals eventually fail?

As mentioned above,

only about five percent of root canals fail

, and sometimes it is not actually a “failure.” In cases, of teeth that have more than one root, it is possible that only one root was infected and filled.

Why you should avoid a root canal?

How long do root canals last?

According to this report,

98 percent of root canals last one year, 92 percent last five years, and 86 percent last ten years or longer

. Molars treated by endodontists had a 10 year survival rate, significantly higher than that of molars treated by general dentists.

Can I refuse a root canal?

Is this really necessary? The required treatment for a root canal is dictated by the extent of damage to the tooth by large fillings, decay or trauma. Although

patients can refuse any dental treatment for the time being

, the required treatment won’t go away and the end-result is unavoidable!

How do dentists remove old fillings?


A High Volume Suction device will be used

. This suction pulls all particles away from the tooth as the filling is being drilled out. Powdered charcoal and chlorella are placed in your mouth under the rubber dam.

Do fillings mold to your teeth?

The filling will replace the part of your tooth the decay destroyed. During the cavity filling process,

your dentist will mold the filling to match the shape of your tooth

.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.