Contrarian Value Ideas

[gfp927z]

Derf, Btw, with your molar and sensitivity to cold -

First, did the cold sensitivity start all at once, or was it more gradual? If all at once, the cause is often a cracked filling, which is usually easy to see by the dentist. But if the filling looks fine, then the cause is likely a crack / fracture line in the tooth itself. These are pretty common, but not always visible since it will be under an existing filling, and since the fracture line is usually perpendicular to the x-ray beam, it will not be visible on an x-ray. The only way to know for sure is to remove the existing filling, and look for the fracture line.

Shallow fracture lines are not uncommon, but if they get deeper the cold sensitivity increases, and if the fracture gets too close to the tooth's pulp chamber, the pulp can become inflamed (and the cold sensitivity ends, but sensitivity to heat begins). Eventually the pulp can degenerate, and the throbbing begins, and then it's root canal time. But a fracture line can remain stable for years, and sensitivity resolves as the tooth creates a layer of 'reparative dentin' that protects the pulp.

Another common cause of cold sensitivity occurs after the gums recede with age, which exposes the root surfaces (which lack protective enamel). Then with abrasion / wear from toothbrushing, cold sensitivity occurs. This is easy to determine by the dentist, so in your case it sounds like a fracture line is more likely.

There are numerous de-sensitizing toothpastes on the market, so that should help. If your symptoms morph into heat sensitivity, that would be a bad sign, indicating the fracture line has deepened and the pulp of the tooth is becoming inflamed, so the dreaded root canal is looming. Then a crown, and a large dental bill that will help the dentist make the payments on his new beach house, lol. But hopefully they will have a friendly assistant :o)

(As you can tell, I have WAY too much free time on my hands..)






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