Secondary Caries

Caries which recurs beneath a previously restored tooth are known as secondary caries. These are also known as recurrent caries. These are common with composite restorations. Any micro gap in the tooth restoration margin causes a local collection of food debris and bacteria, leading to caries in the long run. Removal of the initial restoration along with caries and re-restoration helps. These are mostly diagnosed through patient's symptoms or dental X-rays.

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All the answers published in this website are written by Verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

What is the reason for the enlarging black hole in my right upper molar?

Query: Hi doctor,I have attached pictures of a black hole in my right upper molar. It is enlarging in size, painful, and causes migraine daily. So I tried to remove the infected cusp. Please help.  Read Full »


Dr. Nazima Anjum

Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com.From the images attached (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), it is suggestive of secondary caries or broken filling. Take an X-ray and do a root canal treatment if possible and replace it with a crown. If it is grossly decayed then it is better to extrac...  Read Full »

Why do I have pain in my tooth even after getting it filled?

Query: Hello doctor, I got a filling done for a sensitivity problem in a tooth. However, the pain recurred as some cavity was left out beneath the filling. So I had to get the filling done again. Currently, I have pain in the tooth when chewing on both soft and hard foods. Also, the pain lasts for a while...  Read Full »


Dr. Bhargav Reddy Gutha

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and would be happy to help. You have pain either due to galvanism or microleakage. Galvanism occurs due to metal alloy restoration in the oral cavity, with saliva acting as a medium. Microleakage occurs when the restoration and tooth edge marg...  Read Full »

How do you get rid of teeth cavities?

Query: Hello doctor, I am 20 years old. I have very bad teeth with many cavities. I brush my teeth twice a day. I also floss and use mouthwash every day. Even though I follow all the protective measures, my mouth is full of cavities and it has ruined all my confidence. Even though I get them filled o...  Read Full »


Dr. Nupur Prashant Shah

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern regarding your dental health. First of all, you should visit your dentist for a radiographic examination of the cavitated teeth which are previously filled. This is to check for any secondary caries. From these x-rays, the dentist will guid...  Read Full »

What to do for infection and pain in one of the supporting teeth of FPD?

Query: Hello doctor, I have an accident history which leads to the fixation of FPD in the place of incisors with the support of two adjacent teeth on either side. Recently I got an infection above one of the supporting teeth. RCT has already done on that tooth. I got my x-ray done. I am having a throbbin...  Read Full »


Dr. Divya Banu M

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your history and OPG (orthopantomogram). (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There is a periapical (surrounding apex of tooth root) infection. I could see two radiolucent lines near the upper third and apex of root, which could pos...  Read Full »

How to find out if I have caries under my tooth restoration?

Query: Hello doctor,I have three first molars that have been filled with amalgam three years ago. I need to know how can I find out if one of them has caries under the restoration because one more first molar was also restored by amalgam, and three years later, I was experiencing some pain. When the doctor...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com.Yes, there are possibilities of caries (tooth decay) underneath amalgam restorations. Please check the panoramic radiograph and see if there are any dark patches below the amalgam fillings in the teeth. It would be best if you could send a photograph of your recent pan...  Read Full »

Following RCT and crown, my gums are swollen. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I had a root canal performed before four months and a gold crown was fitted before two months. The tooth number is 14. The tooth had a crack in it a few years ago and finally became irreversibly inflamed and required a root canal. My tooth is still sensitive to pressure while chewing a...  Read Full »


Dr. Nupur Prashant Shah

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query and understand it. In such condition, I would like to tell you that the pain that is present in the gum between the teeth number 13 and 14 is due to food impaction near the margin of the restored crown. It relieved once after scaling accordi...  Read Full »

What causes tooth pain when i chew on filled tooth?

Query: Hello doctor, I have a filling in my tooth of some metal (14 years have passed). I had flu and sore throat a few days back. So, I used Augmentin and another tablet of Actifit-P replacement. After three to four days, my toothache started and now if I chew anything, my teeth feel painful. That filled...  Read Full »


Dr. Nupur Prashant Shah

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. First of all, I would like to tell you that consult your nearby endodontist to rule out the reason for pain clinically and radiographically. If the pain would be due to secondary decay below the restoration and deep to the pulp, then you will have to undergo a root cana...  Read Full »

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