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Is Secondary Cavity Possible Below An Already Filled Dental Cavity?

Posted on Mon, 4 Jan 2016

Question: I have just been examined and x-rayed by a new dentist. I wanted to see him for a routine cleaning and to have someone closer by. He advises I should cap 15 of my teeth to save them until I'm 95. He says that previously filled cavities cause new cavities over time where the filling meets the solid part of the tooth. The cost will be approximately $00,000.
Would you consider this overkill and unnecessary, rather than just fix cavities as they occur?

Thankyou for your opinion and help.
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do not need replacing filling until there is secondary decay in teeth.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concern.

As per your complain if the fillings are done precisely then you need not to worry..
It is not always necessary that the fillings will become leaky at the margins and there will be secondary decay in filled teeth below the fillings..
I would therefore suggest you to send me the x-rays of your filled teeth so that I can assess them and let you know that whether re-filling is needed or not..
You can also send me an Image of your teeth so that I can evaluate that whether you need to get them capped or not..
Also answer the following questions:
1.Are your teeth mobile/loose?
2.Do you have pain or sensitivity in any of the teeth?
3.Are your teeth abraded?

Also if you wish to give any further information you are welcome..

Wishing you a good health..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Thanks, Dr. Aora, for your help. In answer to your questions, my teeth are not abraded, nor are they loose. I don't have any sensitivity or pain.

The doctor did show me a slight gray-like shaded area on one or two teeth where the filling meets the tooth (on xray.)

Nor do I grind my teeth while sleeping or at any other time.

Hope that helps. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Gray shadow like area might be decay..

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome back to HCM..

As per your query gray shadow like are at the place where the tooth and filling meet can be secondary infection in the tooth and in that case cleaning of the infection and refilling of the teeth might be needed..

A scan of x-ray might give me a better understanding..

If there is no other problem related to your teeth I suppose you need not to go for capping unless there is even a bit of discomfort.

In case if there is decay in teeth you should definitely get the fillings replaced to prevent further spread of infection in the tooth..

Any further questions are welcome..

Wishing you a Good Health..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee