Avoiding the dreaded 1-star review

A patient comes to see you with no problems that they're aware of. You discover they need a posterior filling.

They agree and you do it. They pay $320 and leave but, once the anaesthetic wears off they find that cold water sends them through the roof. Ice cream is totally impossible.

They ring up and make an appointment. You look at the filling, polish it and put on some "varnish" but 6 weeks later the tooth is no better.

This will get you a 1-star Google review and you deserve it. You took a person with no problems and gave them a huge one that is negatively effecting their life.

So, how do you avoid sensitive fillings in posterior teeth?

I've been in lots of practices and seen lots of dentists. There is one common factor for dentists who do sensitive posterior fillings – they etch. That's it. As simple as that.

Dentists who etch create sensitive posterior teeth. Those who don't etch don't create sensitive posterior teeth.

Amazingly dentists who create sensitive teeth are often in denial. I ask them if they get sensitive teeth and they say "no, never". I ask the staff and they say "Yes!".

And, it's all so unnecessary. If you're using a self-etch (SE) bonding system then etching is not recommended. It's actually counter productive. Etching produces lower bond strengths. Read the instructions that come with the bond.

Yet, many dentists like the belt and braces approach.

They think: "I won't trust the SE system. Let's put on some phosphoric acid just to make sure." It's the patients who pay the price.

So, bottom line is this. If you want to avoid 1-star reviews due to creating sensitive teeth get some SE type bond (e.g. Clearilf SE, G Bond, S Bond or lots of others) and stop etching posterior teeth.