My Kindergartner had a filling done recently and I noticed that I can no longer get between the teeth to floss. I've looked and I think that the filling somehow got between two teeth and bonded them together on one side.
I'm concerned about this because a) I can't floss all the way between those 2 teeth (only on the outer side) and b) what happens when those teeth grow in a bit more, or shift, or when they start to get loose and one is ready to fall out and the other isn't?
I called the dentist's office and the receptionist just told me to buy some sort of flossing needle (she says you thread the floss through it and then push it through the space by the gums to floss the teeth), that seems a bit much to be doing every day on a 5 year old, but that's all the help she gave me. I don't really understand why the receptionist wouldn't have forwarded a message to the dentist, and it bothers me that she took it upon herself to tell me what to do rather than to inform our dentist of it at all - as far as I know she never said a word to him. She said that if the threading needle thing doesn't work then she can schedule an appointment for us to come in so the dentist can look at it, but I was left with the impression that it would be an expense out of pocket and not something insurance would cover and I can't really afford to go into a dentist visit blind and get hit with a bill, not after just having two appointments and crappy dental insurance that doesn't pay much of anything. I'm really quite upset about the way she handled it so I'm hoping for some insight from someone here.
Has anyone ever had this happen? How did you take care of it, if at all? Anything you can tell me is a help!
don't get mad, just call back and tell her you want it looked at. What dentist would charge you to fix something that should have been done correctly to begin with? The dentist should have done a floss test from the get go.
Oh, heck no. The dentist needs to fix this for free. You should always be able to floss in between the teeth. It sounds like it was a simple error that happened while the filling was being done. And yes, they CAN fix it, and it will take a minute to do it. I had some bonding "gunk" left between two teeth when I had my permanent retainer put on, and it took the orthodontist about 10 seconds to fix it. Seriously. Call the dentist back who did the filling, and tell the receptionist that you need an appointment during which time the dentist needs to fix this error so you can floss your child's teeth properly.
Our dentist has always fixed any "mistakes" without charge. It hasn't happened often but after over twenty years of taking care of our whole family of five's teeth there have been occasional issues. I would imagine (hope) that if he's a good dentist he cares about doing good work and having satisfied patients!
I have had this happen. I just called and scheduled an appt with the dentist. He used a special sanding floss to clear the path. I was not chanrged and it really only took a few minutes.
Not acceptable. When fillings are placed between the teeth, a band should be used to keep the composite material from bonding with the second tooth. Maybe this wasn't done? When a filling is placed like this, it should be standard procedure for the dentist to test with floss before the patient leaves. Make an appointment and request that the filling be adjusted. You should not have to pay for this.
It is a possibility that the composite/filling material is bonded interproximally/between the teeth atoll dentist should either use a band and/or floss between the teeth before completion of the procedure other wise an adjustment is needed adjustment should be completed at no charge....hope this helps
They should fix it for free. It means they put too much filling material in and it's filling in the gap or even sticking to the other tooth.
Don't do it by yourself!! I can't believe they gave you that advice!
I had it happen on a tooth and accidently popped the entire filling out because I didn't realize that's what I was tugging on. I had to go back and get it refilled again. Didn't cost me anything because it was their error.
When they did the filling they should make sure everything is smoothed and sanded and clear of the tooth next to it.
If this is their attitude, get another dentist!
That flossing needle is a hassle. MY GD has braces and uses one. Takes forever.
I would schedule the appointment and I would let them know that it should be at no charge since this situation was created by the dentist. It could be that the space is just smaller, but the teeth are not actually connected. But you do need to know for sure.
Call and ask for the dentist to call you back. Even if the dentist did the filling correctly, you are having difficulty flossing. That's a legitimate reason to see the dentist. I would expect that insurance would pay if routine check ups are a part of the package. Call the insurance company and ask if a return visit would be covered. Ask to speak to the billing people at your dentist's office and ask them if you would be billed.
I don't know if this is similar but I had a tooth pulled and got a dry socket. My dentist didn't charge for the return visit. It was considered a complication of the first visit.
She answered you without consulting the dentist because it is a common problem so she knows what he will say.
When they move, shift or come out the teeth will break apart. It isn't that filling is bonded to the second tooth it is just up against it.
Call them back and tell the receptionist that yes you would like an appointment and that the dentist "closed the contact space" when he did the filling and you cannot floss your sons teeth. They should fix it for free. Make sure and ask on the phone if there is a fee for the appointment...Good Luck! Oh and good for you for flossing your son's teeth!
You can ask for the dentist to call you back specifically to discuss his specific case. You can also get a flosser thing like she described in the dental aisle at the store. People with braces often use them. If he is not a pediatric dentist, it may be worth finding one.
