Why does your tooth still hurt after a filling?
So you finally mustered up the courage to visit your dentist after ignoring your tooth sensitivity/ tooth pain for weeks? Once in the dental clinic, your dentist says you only need a filling to take care of this problem. So you lucked out! You undergo the procedure in 30-45 minutes and you are done. However once you go home and the anesthesia wears off- you feel some sensitivity. Well your dentist had mentioned that you will have some discomfort for a few days so you brush it off. The next few weeks you feel like the pain is gradually increasing and you are not comfortable at all. You got your dental infection treated, so why does your tooth hurt after the filling?
Most of the time, if the diagnosis is right and dental filling is done well- mild sensitivity is expected however it should resolve within a few days to a week. In rare situations, if you develop extreme sensitivity or pain, sharp pain on biting or swelling / fever /redness, then you need to visit your dentist immediately.
So why do fillings cause tooth sensitivity/ pain?
Nerve involvement- If the extent of your dental infection or trauma is deep, then chances are your nerve is irritated too. If the nerve heals then this sensitivity will go away in a few days or weeks. However if the nerve is involved then expect that the discomfort will increase and you need to go back to your dentist for a microscope root canal treatment.
Incorrect bite- Once the filling is done, your dentist will check your bite and make sure it aligns well with the other teeth. If the filling is too tall, then expect it to cause extra pressure when you bite down causing pain or sensitivity. Most often than not, the ‘bite settles’ i.e, it will correct itself in a few weeks. In Summit Dental Clinic, we always have a follow up appointment to check the bite to prevent such an occurrence.
Cracked tooth- We are seeing increased incidence of cracked teeth. Such cracks are not easy to diagnose and often lead to repeated treatment procedures with no relief. Suspicion of a crack occurs based on signs and symptoms and the final diagnosis is done using a 3D X-ray called CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography).
Incorrect Initial Diagnosis- In cases where the nerve is involved the only treatment to save the tooth is a Root Canal Treatment. However if only a filling is done without addressing the tooth pulp- the pain and discomfort can exacerbate.
Gum Disease- Even periodontal/ gum disease can cause tooth sensitivity by causing the gums to recede/ pull away from the tooth. This exposes the part of the tooth near the root which is sensitive. Gum disease when caught early causes no symptoms, hence it is important to visit your dentist regularly.
Material used for tooth filling- Although rare, the type of material used can also cause sensitivity. Dentists use different materials based on the location and extent of decay- composite resin, silver amalgam etc; allergy to these materials is rare but has been recorded.
Fillings are a safe and effective treatment of dental cavities. Some sensitivity post this procedure is normal. Most fillings last many years but also depends largely on how you take care of them- daily brushing + flossing and not mention regular dental checkups.