A patient experiences sharp shooting pain whenever their teeth touch, within an hour after the cementation of a cast gold onlay. What is the most likely cause of this discomfort?

Show Answers

The restoration is positioned too high, causing premature contactResidual cement remains trapped in the gingival sulcusThe cement mixture contains an excessive amount of acidA galvanic reaction occurs due to the gold onlay contacting a large existing restorationInflammation of the surrounding gum tissue

Explanation

Sharp pain shortly after placing a gold onlay that occurs upon occlusion is most commonly due to a galvanic current generated when the gold restoration contacts a large metallic restoration. This electrical potential causes discomfort. Other causes like high restoration (supracclusion), leftover cement, or excess acid in the mix are less likely to produce immediate shooting pain on contact.