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Not happy with what dentist has done - help!

6 replies

Teath · 11/02/2024 22:11

Last week I posted about having some dental work done and the pros/cons of seeing the dental hygienist or having airflow treatment. I had lots of reassuring advice, so I'm hoping people will be as kind to me this time - I've name changed as I was worried this would be a bit outting as I've discussed it with people in RL.

So after a check up last Monday, I went back on Wed to have a couple of fillings done (but had decided to wait and book a hygienist appointment later to sort out some staining). I was quite nervous about it, esp as I'd found it hard to understand what the dentist was saying/planning on doing (for example I'm sure on Mon he said he'd be doing one filling, and another tooth needed keeping an eye on, but on Wed he said no, he was doing both). I asked lots of questions on Wed and he was pretty patient with me and I felt like it had gone okay. As well as the two fillings he said he could put a coating on one of my front top teeth that has had a slight chip for ages. I said yes please as the tooth can be quite sensitive due to the chip. However, when he did it, I think he put the composite along the bottom edge of both of my front teeth. Before he did it, he used a tool to clean the bottom edge, and at the same time he gave the fronts a bit of a clean and removed some of the staining (from tea drinking). At the time I thought great. He asked if the composite felt okay or was there a ridge and I said I thought it was okay. BUT I had had an injection for one of the back fillings, so I didn't actually have any feeling in my tongue (and I wasn't really thinking clearly as I was anxious).

When the numbness wore off later that day, I felt my front top teeth and the surface felt horribly rough on the front, and part way up the back. About halfway up the back I can feel where the composite ends. I don't know whether the roughness on the front is a fine layer of the composite all over or caused by the cleaning tool. I hoped it would improve, but 4 days on they still feel awful. Also, where the composite goes across the bottom of both teeth, rather than just the chipped one, it feels as though my teeth are stuck together (it's a weird sensation to describe but I hate it) and I checked today and I can't get floss up between them because of it.

I really hate it and I can't stop checking how it all feels with my tongue and focussing on it.

I've never had any dental treatment like this before, so I guess I'm just asking for advice or opinions on whether this is normal, or whether I should be contacting the dentist and asking them to sort it out. Or even whether it can be sorted out? I'm a bit terrified that they've caused more problems than they have solved.

(The two fillings also feel rough on the surface, esp compared to my other teeth, but I can cope with that further back, it's easier to ignore. But this thing with my front teeth being soldered together along the bottom edge is freaking me out and making me touch them more which is in turn making me more aware of how rough they are!)

OP posts:
pandora206 · 11/02/2024 22:25

You need to describe these issues to your dentist so he can smooth out the composite and fillings.

I have had extensive composite work done and the result should be smooth when finished. If you can't floss between teeth this needs adjusting too. You shouldn't have any sharp edges or bumps.

Teath · 12/02/2024 08:15

Okay, thanks. I guess I need to make another appointment then... 😫

OP posts:
TwoShades1 · 12/02/2024 09:20

The roughness should be easily fixed with some minor polishing. Just make an appointment and explain that while it felt fine at the time the numbness meant you couldn’t feel the roughness.

He likely added composite to both front teeth to ensure they are symmetrical. If the chip was very small it may not have been possible to repair without it making the tooth ever to slightly larger, which then wouldn’t match the other front tooth.

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Beebumble2 · 12/02/2024 09:28

For years I had a chipped front tooth repaired several times, not always successful. In the end I had a veneer put on it, which has lasted about 15 years.
An expensive solution, I know, but has been worth it.

Teath · 12/02/2024 17:39

@TwoShades1 I'd understand if it was to make them symmetrical, but they really aren't - they weren't before, and I'm not bothered that they aren't now, as I don't feel its super obvious to other people/don't care that much, it was more because the tooth was sensitive that I agreed to the coating. But the dentist even commented that it still wasn't quite as long as the other tooth and it wasn't possible to achieve that (which I nodded along with as it sounded reasonable and I don't have a clue really!). So I don't understand why the other tooth has composite on too.

@Beebumble2 I've had this chip for about 20 years and never had anything done about it; I wasn't worried about it but as I was having other fillings the dentist said he could coat this too. I'm annoyed that it's created more issues than it solved 😫

The flossing issue has sorted itself out - as I was crunching on a chip earlier the bit of composite blocking the gap between the teeth cracked and I felt some tiny bits of something (non chip matter 😆) on my tongue. Just got home and checked and can now floss, and the weird feeling of my teeth being glued together is gone, but there is a slight sharpness to the corners between the teeth that I'm concerned I could catch my tongue on.

It's not possible for me to go back to the dentist, or even speak to them on the phone, as it's half term and I am full-time caring for my son who has additional needs, but I'll try and email this week and request another appointment. Any idea whether they can/will charge me again? Or would it all come under the cost of the initial treatment (NHS band 2)?

OP posts:
OnTheBoardwalk · 12/02/2024 17:43

They won’t charge you to polish and file them down, it's part of the original treatment

I don’t know how anyone can say if a filling feels ok following an injection

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