Did the dentist somehow miss some of the decay, fail to drill it all out, or fill all the tooth when doing a composite filling?

[ToothPatient]

2nd molar, top left.

On the mesial surface, one can clearly see an inward groove, darkened area, typically indicating decay or a cavity.

Beneath and actually touching it, a composite filling has been placed.

Is it possible the dentist somehow missed this cavity/decay? Or failed to drill it out?

Or didn't fill the area?

Can anyone explain what's going on here?

 

[ToothPatient]

This is a posterior to anterior x-ray of the same tooth.

I'm unsure if that (what the arrow points to) indicates a cavity or what's going on there.

I assume that's the same decay/cavity as in the panoramic x-ray, just adjacent to the composite filling.

 

[Dr M]

Could be missed caries or could be pooling of the adhesive material. Would need to remove the resin filling in order to be sure.

 

[ToothPatient]

Could be missed caries or could be pooling of the adhesive material. Would need to remove the resin filling in order to be sure.

As in remove the entire composite and re do the entire filling?

Or could just that part of it be removed and refilled?

If it is just pooled adhesive, can that be left as is without affecting the integrity of the filling or causing problems later?

If it's missed decay, presumably that would need to be drilled out?

 

[Dr M]

Pooling does not affect the integrity of the filling. But the only way to make sure it is not missed decay is to drill until you reach that area. The entire filling does not need to be removed. Only the portion with the dark area.

 

[ToothPatient]

Pooling does not affect the integrity of the filling. But the only way to make sure it is not missed decay is to drill until you reach that area. The entire filling does not need to be removed. Only the portion with the dark area.

Would doing this potentially further irritate the nerve?

Which is irritated enough after that big filling.

Or maybe being further from the nerve, it won't be so bad?

 

[Dr M]

You will have to decide for yourself whether your pain level currently justifies investigating further. Whenever you drill on a tooth, there is a chance that the nerve will be aggrevated.

 

[ToothPatient]

You will have to decide for yourself whether your pain level currently justifies investigating further. Whenever you drill on a tooth, there is a chance that the nerve will be aggrevated.

Okay, but again, if it is just pooled adhesive, that won't present with any further problems down the line, will it?

There's already some discoloration on the exterior of the tooth where it is, but it won't make the tooth more susceptible to further decay etc?

 

[Dr M]

No it should not. I would just monitor this tooth. Monitor the symptoms and make sure you go for your regular check-ups.