Tooth pain after filling may be frightening especially when you are supposed to feel relief after your dental pain. Although a certain level of sensitivity after a dental restoration is normal, it is possible to know the reasons behind this phenomenon and know when the pain should be anticipated and when it is necessary to seek professional help.

Normal Post-Filling Discomfort

One of the most commonly posed questions in dental offices is why my tooth hurts after a filling. The filling process consists of the excision of the decayed tissue and the insertion of the restorative material, which inevitably leads to certain trauma to the tooth structure. The average time of pain following a filling is between a few days and two weeks depending on a number of factors such as the size of the filling and your personal healing process.

The immediate pain after dental filling is usually associated with the local anesthetic effect fading away and the tooth adapting to its new restoration. This first pain normally fades away after 24-48 hours as the tissues start healing and adjusting to the changes.

Reason 1: Nerve Sensitivity and Normal Healing

The most frequent cause of post-procedural discomfort is tooth sensitivity following filling. The nerve of the tooth may be temporarily irritated during the filling process due to the drilling, cleaning and the insertion of filling material.

Nerve Irritation: The dental treatment provokes the nerve endings in the tooth leading to temporary inflammation which causes sensitivity and mild pain. This especially occurs in deeper fillings that are nearer to the pulp chamber of the tooth.
Tissue Trauma: The extraction of decayed tissue and the preparation of the tooth cavity causes minor tissue trauma that takes time to heal. The tissues around the area might be sensitive in this healing process.
Temperature Sensitivity: Cold post-filling is sensitive to temperature changes due to the increased sensitivity of the nerve endings after the procedure, and hot and cold stimuli are more pronounced than they were prior to treatment.

Reason 2: Bite Interference from High Fillings

Dental fillings may cause pain due to bite issues where the new filling is slightly high, resulting in uneven contact between upper and lower teeth.

Excessive Pressure: When the filling is stretched out of the natural tooth contour, it is subjected to greater pressure during chewing and biting, which leads to continuous pain and possible harm to the restoration.
Jaw Muscle Strain: Fillings that are high make the jaw close in a different manner and may result in muscle tension and referred pain that may spread to the temples, neck and other parts of the face.

Reason 3: Sensitivity and Reactions of Material.

Various filling materials may cause dental filling pain in a number of ways, such as thermal conductivity and biocompatibility.

Metal amalgam fillings transmit temperature variations more easily than natural tooth structure, which may result in the high sensitivity after the placement of fillings. The resin fillings can be made of composite, which can shrink a little during the curing process, leaving microscopic holes that can allow the changes of temperature and pressure to reach the nerve of the tooth.

A certain number of patients can be allergic or sensitive to certain filling materials and develop long-lasting pain and inflammation in the area of the treated tooth.

Reason 4: Deep Cavity Complications

Pain following dental filling can be a sign of nerve damage or exposure during the process of removing the decay when the cavities are spread near the pulp chamber of the tooth.

Extensive or deep restorations involve deeper drilling and removal of tissue, which is more likely to cause nerve irritation or damage. In other instances, the hole might have been deeper than it first seemed and it might have to be treated more aggressively thereby causing long term sensitivity.

Pain in the tooth which is throbbing after filling but which gets worse instead of getting better may show that the pulp of the tooth has been damaged and may need root canal therapy to alleviate the pain.

Reason 5: Unfinished Treatment or Secondary Problems

The time when a filling should cease to cause pain is partly determined by the fact that all underlying issues must have been sufficiently addressed during the first treatment. In some cases, other problems are revealed following placement.

The partial elimination of decayed tissue may leave bacteria active under the filling resulting in persistence of infection and post filling toothache. The microscopic cracks in the tooth structure can be more symptomatic following the placement of the fillings and lead to continued sensitivity following filling.

The existing conditions like teeth grinding or clenching may put more pressure on the newly filled teeth causing throbbing pain after filling which may need further treatment or protection.

Treatment of Post-Filling Discomfort

Tooth pain management after filling is also effective when the patient takes over-the-counter pain relievers, avoids extreme temperatures, and practices gentle oral care around the treated area.

Toothpaste can be desensitized to decrease temperature sensitivity and the new filling can be damaged by hard or sticky foods, so it is best to avoid these types of foods over a few days. When pain does not end in two weeks or even progress instead of getting better, then it is time to seek professional help.

Conclusion

Pain in teeth following filling is usually encountered but it usually subsides over days to weeks of treatment. Knowledge of these five typical causes will assist patients to differentiate between normal healing pain and symptoms that need further dental treatment. It is important to track the level of pain and consult a specialist in case of discomfort so that the results can be as good as possible and the development of complications can be avoided.

Carrum Downs Dental Group offers residents with full-time follow-up treatment and professional assessment of the complications of fillings. Our experienced dental team provides comprehensive evaluation, proper pain management plans, and advanced procedures to solve any problems that can occur following dental restorations so that patients can enjoy long-term comfort and optimal oral health.

5 Common Reasons for Tooth Pain After a Filling