Sometimes it seems like the only limits to modern dentistry are the limits of your memory. When a toothache strikes, one of the first things to think about is if the tooth has ever needed a filling. When a cavity is filled using a tooth-coloured composite resin, the restoration can be invisible. If the tooth hasn't given you any further complaints until now, you may not have thought about the filling in some years. So why has the tooth started to hurt after all these years?
Long-Term, But Not Permanent
Dental fillings aren't a permanent solution to a cavity. They're a long-term solution, which must be replaced as needed. The longevity of a filling depends on the materials used, the tooth that received the filling, as well as your own standard of oral hygiene. However, eventually, a filling will come to the end of its service life.
A Failing Seal
A toothache in a tooth that once received a filling can begin to indicate a problem with the filling. It could be that its seal is failing. As the composite resin was applied to the prepared tooth, it dried to create a seal. This seal will eventually weaken, allowing oral bacteria to penetrate the restoration, along with microscopic food particles. This process can cause irritation and will almost certainly lead to further deterioration of the tooth.
Pulp Inflammation and Infection
Further deterioration of the tooth may already have occurred. When the pain is throbbing and appears to be escalating, the pulp at the centre of the tooth may be inflamed or infected. This occurs when a failing restoration has permitted bacteria and other contaminants to enter the tooth, which can then make its way to the tooth's pulp. There may be deterioration to the dentin beneath your dental enamel, creating direct access. Alternatively, there are microscopic canals throughout your dentin, which lead to the pulp. Contaminants can irritate the pulp via these canals.
Until you've been assessed by your dentist, the cause of your toothache may be pure speculation. Ideally, all that will be needed is for an ageing, failing filling to be replaced. However, if continued deterioration has resulted in damage to the tooth's pulp, then a root canal will be necessary. In any event, treatment should not be delayed, as the issue is likely to worsen to the point that more stringent measures will be necessary. Contact a local dentist to learn more about toothache issues.
