Blotched fillings, air bubbles, pain and more...any advice/help very much appreciated

[Philostratus]

First I'd like to say I've been perusing this forum for a little bit and am very impressed/pleasantly surprised to see so much help. I've been somewhat saddened by the profit incentive that so much business operates by now (especially dentists here) that to see you all offer your expertise/help free of charge is amazing, and I am very grateful in advance to anyone who is able to assist not only with my issues, but others as well. Great forum you have here...

Anyhow,
I recently had (March 25th) 3 fillings (or so I was told) done.
I'm not entirely convinced 2 of these were necessary, so far as the possibility of remineralization is concerned. I've had this aching/throbbing pain in my jaw, teeth and gums on the side where I had three composite resin fillings done. Two were in between teeth and 1 was on top/side. This was a week ago, and it took around 1.5 hours. It seemed like a very rough procedure, and I feel perhaps much of it was not 100% necessary. I've never had such consistent oral pain. Eating makes it somewhat worse as does anything hot/cold, even moving my jaw. I have some difficulty even sleeping because it's ever present, only calming down rarely.

History:
-Went in for initial cleaning and xrays February 18th. Was told Dentist didn't have enough time to do comp check, had to schedule for a month later. The lady who cleaned my teeth I recall even saying "You may need a root canal" for almost no apparent reason....
-March 25th had 3 fillings done
-I went back 6 days after as I called and expressed concern, an xray of the fillings was taken. First was told to wait longer to see if it calms down, then was told by the dentist that there are "air bubbles" in one of the fillings (the one closes to the middle) and that it may need to be refilled, so I was scheduled for 3 weeks out to come in and supposedly do it (if pain persists? He wasn't really clear on this). He also very nonchalantly said (almost inferring) that I may very well need a root canal now, and that he's seen the nerves of teeth die from very tiny fillings before. I would like to avoid a root canal at all costs. When I asked him if he could point out the cavities on previous Xrays he pointed to the tooth closest to the middle (which I agree with?) then to other teeth he didn't even work on. Then on the other two he did he just vaguely put is finger over them and said they had blemishes...I cannot personally see anything that looks as though it's down to the dentin.

Prior to all this I only had very minor sensitivity every now and then with hot/cold and the like (maybe once a week or less). It hadn't been very sensitive since I started taking more care of my teeth. It really wasn't too bothersome and doesn't even come close to the discomfort I am experiencing now.

The work was done on 17, 18 and 19 (I believe?) The 3 back lower left (my wisdom teeth were pulled some 15 years ago, I'm 31 now)

I have the Xrays (My apologies for 3 posts, apparently the photos couldn't fit in one. If you want me to edit this please do let me know and I will only link them?)
-First is most recent, after fillings.
-The next set is very recent.
-Second set is from about 1.5 years ago.

General opinion would be appreciated, regarding both if there are/were cavities that NEED(ed) to be filled and/or if remineralization is/was not possible. I think that if it cannot be certain the cavity is down to the dentin, I personally would much rather do all that I can to reverse it before being drilled. Air bubbles? What is he talking about. How concerned should I be, and what do you think I should do from here? I really want to keep my teeth alive at all costs (ie. not taking out the nerves/blood supply). Were these fillings poorly done, should I allow this dentist to try and refill, or should I go to another dentist (there aren't a lot of options around here).

He also said that there are 3 cavities on the upper left that need to be filled and wanted to schedule me to do those in a month +.

After fillings (air bubbles??):



Xrays done 1 month prior to work which they based diagnoses off. Said I needed fillings in 6 teeth, 3 in bottom left and 3 on top left.






Xrays continued in following posts (could only upload so many per post)

 

[Philostratus]

Xrays from 1.5 years ago:

 

[Philostratus]

 

[Philostratus]

Anyone?

 

[drhirst]

Hi Philostratus,
Sorry to hear about this. It is always frustrating to have more pain after treatment than before. This sort of complication can happen without the work having been poorly executed.
I can see some air bubbles or voids in your fillings, this is not necessarily the cause of your after pain though.



Actual diagnosis of early decay is often made by clinical examination and appearance of the x-rays. It is the combination of the two that is often key in the decision making process. Looking at your x-rays I can see two possible areas of decay into dentine, but without the benefit of seeing in your mouth or seeing the clinical notes made at the time, I could not say for sure there are not other areas or indeed, that the areas I have marked actually need filling for sure.

 

[Philostratus]

Hi Philostratus,

Many thanks for your time mate,

Of the three teeth that were done, I think only the closest to middle could have been argued to be somewhat necessary, even then knowing what I know now I don't think it was. Dentist wants to do top left three as well, though aside from that one you pointed out, I don't think others are necessary either. Makes me lose trust...

I saw those air bubbles myself, the dentist seems to think those could be the cause of all this pain and if not then it's essentially a root canal job because the nerve(s) will die (their own words). I think this doesn't sound quite right...and would like to avoid a root canal at all costs. Should any of these fillings be redone?

What do you think is responsible for all this pain? (2 weeks out) My jaw hurts terribly at times and feels exhausted despite not doing anything and those three teeth throb and are very sensitive to pressure and hot/cold as well as flossing. I can barely eat on left side, 90% of chewing is done on right now.

When I intentionally grit my teeth I feel pain in both the jaw and teeth, though teeth hurt a bit more.

 

[drhirst]

It's hard to say what is the cause of the pain, could be dying nerves, contraction shrinkage of the filling material, or maybe the bite just needs a little adjustment I think if I were you, I would see a new dentist for a second opinion as you have lost trust in your current dentist.

 

[Philostratus]

It's hard to say what is the cause of the pain, could be dying nerves, contraction shrinkage of the filling material, or maybe the bite just needs a little adjustment I think if I were you, I would see a new dentist for a second opinion as you have lost trust in your current dentist.

I really don't want the nerves to die, I want to keep my teeth alive. It will be a terrible thing to me if they do die. Is there any way to assist them in healing so as not to die?

I went to a walk in clinic (as I have no other options here without $$$) had a dental student see me that eventually said they needed to do a full check and schedule for 3 weeks out (all they had). Here's what we concluded there though: #18 seems fine

Both #19 (MOD compostie) and #20 (DO composite):
Palpation - negative
Percussion - positive
Endo ice - positive (lingering response)
Checked occlusion w/ articulating paper - no visible high spots.
Tooth sleuth used to check for fractures - pain/sensibility on all cusps of both teeth.

Does this help give any more idea as to what's going on? Also, would you consider these fillings to be deep?

Many thanks for your help.

Xrays taken there: