Tooth pain is the worst ... we get it and we KNOW it. So, you went to the dentist, some cavities were diagnosed, you had them filled, and now your tooth is hurting. How insane. You were not in pain before, but now you are. Well, what happened? Why are there all of the sudden symptoms? Let's chat about it.
Tooth Filling = Mini Surgery
I know. It sounds cheesy. But, hear me out. You essentially have bacteria burrowing a hole in your tooth. We numb you up and remove the decay with a handpiece that rotates at 300,000 to 450,000 RPMs. That is hella fast...maybe not Ricky Bobby fast..but fast nonetheless.
Teeth Are Like Onions
They have layers. Simplistically from the outside in: enamel, dentin, nerve. Your typical filling extends into the dentin space. Dentin communicates with the nerve and sometimes the nerve can become unhappy after a filling and needs a couple weeks to calm down - this is what we call normal post op sensitivity.
In the image below: Enamel is white, Dentin is yellow, and the Nerve (denoted as pulp here) is red. On the left is a depiction of a tooth with a cavity and on the right is a tooth with a filling. Notice how the filling extends beyond the enamel and into the dentin (or as our friends in London 'dentine' space).
Okay so above we talked about the most common reason for tooth sensitivity after a filling. Now let's dive into some other possible reasons your teeth may hurt following a dental procedure.
Reasons Your Teeth May Be Sensitive
Inflammation
The process of filling a tooth involves removing decayed or damaged tooth structure and then filling the cavity with a dental material -typically tooth colored. This can cause some inflammation in the surrounding tissues, including the tooth’s nerves. Inflammation can lead to temporary sensitivity, which should subside as the tissues heal.
This kind of ties into what we talked about above. Adding new material to your body can be an adjustment process. Sometimes an inflammatory process occurs and this is totally normal.
Nerve Irritation
During the filling procedure, we may need to work close to the tooth’s nerve endings. Although we take precautions to protect the nerves, some irritation or disturbance can still occur. This can result in sensitivity, especially to temperature changes or pressure, which should improve over time.
This is what we depicted in the image above showing enamel, dentin, nerve. Like minor inflammation this should go away under normal circumstances as the nerve attempts to heal itself from the minor irritation.
A Caveat
Tooth sensitivity that does not resolve after 2-3 weeks and seems to increase in severity needs to be addressed by a dentist. Sometimes the tooth does not heal itself from a seemingly mundane dental procedure and further investigation might be needed. This is where we might need to look at the possibility of needing a root canal.
Bite Adjustment
After a filling, your dentist may make some adjustments to ensure that your bite is aligned properly. If the filling has slightly altered your bite, it can cause sensitivity when you chew or bite down. This sensitivity should diminish once your bite adjusts to the new restoration. So contact your dentist if you feel sensitivity lasting longer than two weeks. Everybody is different and symptoms vary person to person.
Tooth Trauma
In certain cases, the tooth may have experienced trauma during the filling procedure, particularly if the decay was extensive or close to the nerve. Trauma can lead to temporary sensitivity. If the sensitivity persists or worsens, it’s important to contact your dentist for further evaluation.
Cracked Tooth
Occasionally, a tooth may develop small cracks or fractures during the filling process. These cracks can cause sensitivity, especially when biting or chewing. If you suspect a cracked tooth, it’s essential to see your dentist for an examination and appropriate treatment.
Conclusion
Tooth pain sucks. We get it.
Sensitivity following a filling is normal. Symptoms should resolve within 2-3 weeks. Unfortunately, when we perform fillings the nerve in the tooth can become irritated and needs time to heal. Monitor your symptoms and try to be easy on the tooth.
It’s worth noting that tooth sensitivity following a filling is usually temporary and should subside within a few days to a few weeks. However, if the sensitivity is severe, persistent, or accompanied by severe pain, it’s best to consult your dentist for a follow-up evaluation to ensure there are no complications or further issues with the filled tooth.
