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Featuring consumer information from Columbia School of Dental & Oral Surgery
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Oral Health Made Simple: Your Prescription For Knowledge
 PREVENT PROBLEMS
Small BoxAll About Cavities
Small BoxBrushing and Flossing
Small BoxFluoride
Small BoxMouth-Healthy Eating
Small BoxSealants
Small BoxTaking Care of Your Teeth
Small BoxTobacco
Small BoxYour Dental Visit
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 CONDITIONS
Small BoxBad Breath
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Small BoxCold Sores
Small BoxDry Mouth
Small BoxImpacted Tooth
Small BoxSensitive Teeth
Small BoxTMJ
Small BoxTooth Discoloration
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 TREATMENTS
Small BoxCrowns
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Small BoxFillings: The Basics
Small BoxGum Surgery
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 GENERAL TOPICS
Small BoxControlling Pain
Small BoxCosmetic Dentistry
Small BoxEmergencies
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Small BoxKids And Teens
Small BoxOral Health and Your Body
Small BoxOrthodontics
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Step 1 Prevent ProblemsSimplestepsPrevent Problems
Step 2 Understand ConditionsSimplestepsUnderstand Conditions
Step 3 Explore TreatmentsSimplestepsExplore Treatments

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Q: I recently had a metal filling replaced. Since then, I have experienced a strange sensation when biting on food. I went back to my dentist who filed the tooth down, but I still get an odd feeling when I bite down. Is it possible that the filling is placed too high or has failed to bond correctly? Does it mean I need a root canal?
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November 14, 2008
A:

If the metal filling was replaced with another metal filling, and the opposing tooth has some sort of metal restoration, you may get the strange sensation when the two metals coming into contact. If your filling was replaced with a composite (white) filling, and the dentist checked to make sure it wasn't too high at the last visit, it could have been placed close enough to the nerve to cause sensitivity.

This does not mean you need a root canal. You may just need some time for the tooth to "settle down" after the procedure. Sometimes air is trapped or a there is a tiny opening between the tooth and the filling. These can cause discomfort when biting down. If the feeling continues, the filling should be removed and redone to see if that will fix the problem.

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Kids & Teens
Oral Care & Prevention
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