Metal Mouth Message Board

I know this is a question better answered by a dentist or orthodontist, but it's after hours, so I thought I'd sound this out here until I can call tomorrow:

When I changed two trays ago - so about 3 or 4 weeks ago, I started having temperature sensitivity with my back-most top left molar. It mostly doesn't bug me except when I swish with cold water after brushing my teeth - ie, drinking water doesn't bother me or anything. And it's just a quick feeling of discomfort, like when you bite directly into an ice cream bar and get brain freeze. But today, some chilly mayo in a sandwich seemed to set it off. I happened to be having dinner with a pre-dental student, and she said that it sounded like a cavity.

So, I'm obviously concerned now. I've never had a cavity I could feel, and the fact that I can feel it is making me afraid I'll have to have a root canal. I've consulted Dr. Google, and basically it seems that the sensitivity is likely from two things: tooth decay (yikes) or recent dental work.

My question is, is it possible my Invisalign tray could have shifted my tooth in a way to make some of it exposed and thus more sensitive? It did seem to be linked to changing trays, but that could just be a coincidence. Has this happened to anyone else?

I'm really praying I don't need to have a root canal, because I've heard they're really unpleasant. Also, will that screw up the Invisalign? I've had a small normal cavity filled without a problem, but a root canal seems a different beast entirely. Tell me your thoughts...

My teeth get sensitive using Invisalign. When I swish water around my mouth to rinse after brushing, my teeth will hurt for a few seconds. I guess the pain from the teeth moving amplifies other sensations in the nerves.

I hope you don't have a cavity and your sensitivity is just normal. What did your doctor say?

Hey Blair- My mom works for an endodontist (root canal specialist) and they've done a few root canals on me. Firstly, if you do need one, go to an endodontist- don't let your dentist do it! (In my experience, they turn out better, last longer, etc when the endodontist does the root canal, especially on molars which are notorious for having twisty roots!) Secondly, they really aren't that bad! The shot of anesthetic really is the worst. There are smells that aren't too great- the drilling smells kinda burnt like, the etchant smells rather bitter and the smell of bleach is just gross to me! And thirdly, from what I understand, cold sensitivity that does not linger more than a second is an okay thing. If, for instance, you're drinking cold water and the tooth is hurting, and then for 10 seconds after you swallow it's still hurting, then you might need some work done, endodontically. But to me, it does sound like maybe a little cavity or just some sensitivity from the invisalign. Do call your ortho or your dentist, see what they say, and let us know! Good luck!

Thanks for the replies, guys! I've got my fingers crossed that it's just an Invisalign-related uptick in sensitivity, or a small cavity. The sensitivity seems to have increased slightly - like for maybe 2 or 3 seconds now instead of 1 or 2 - but I've got an appointment with a dentist (a new one, as I'm away from home for a few months) on Monday morning. It's time for a cleaning, anyway.

My main concern about getting a root canal is having it mess up the shape of my tooth for the Invisalign. My hope is that one of two things can happen: 1. the dentist can drill into the tooth from the side, so as not to mess up the contouring of the base of the tooth or 2. that the ortho can just snip off the part of the tray that covers that tooth, which would either mean getting new trays made (really not desirable) or hoping that that tooth is done moving. Hmm...

One of the reasons I went to a dentist instead of orthodontist for Invisalign was in case I needed some dental work the dentist could coordinate things with the invisalign treatment.

Plenty of people have sensitive teeth without having a cavity. And I've only had 2 cavities in the last 16 years and neither of them caused any sensitivity. So there isn't always a correlation.

Meryaten, you mentioned Sensodyne, but when I asked my dentist about that he said they have something better now, MI Paste. He gave me a tube of it. It is supposed to put minerals back into the teeth before the enamel breaks down. If i feel a tooth becoming sensitive I put some of this on my tooth under the invisalign trays and it seems to take the sensitivity away. So, blair, you should ask your dentist about MI Paste.

An update: I went to the dentist this morning, they did a cleaning and x-rays, and it sounds like I have two small cavities - one in the tooth I suspected, and another one on the other side of my mouth. The dentist said they were pretty new and probably not a big deal; I'm going back next week to get them drilled and filled.

For what it's worth, though, the hygienist said that even the smallest tooth movements can expose a bit of root and make teeth more sensitive. The dentist wasn't even sure that it was the cavity causing the sensitivity.

Thanks for all of your input!