Tooth restorations and replacing old fillings are among the most common dental procedures, and almost everyone has experienced them at least once. In both cases, after the treatment, the patient may feel pain. Whether it is a replacement of an old filling or a filling of a tooth that previously had none, tooth sensitivity can occur for several reasons.
Pain When Biting
If you notice that the treated tooth hurts when you bite down, it may be necessary to adjust the shape or height of the filling. Patients often cannot immediately tell if their bite is correct after a new filling is placed. This happens due to muscle and joint fatigue, as well as the effect of anesthesia.
If you feel that your bite is uneven, contact your dentist for correction. Also, if root canal treatment was performed on the same tooth in addition to the filling, sensitivity when biting is a normal reaction in the first few days.
Sensitivity to Cold and Sweet
After placing a composite (white) filling, the tooth may become sensitive to thermal stimuli or sugar. This occurs due to the way composite fillings are applied and the materials used in the process.
It is normal for a tooth with a new composite filling to remain sensitive for the next few weeks, but the sensitivity should gradually decrease and eventually disappear.
Pain That Does Not Improve Over Time
In this case, the filling may not have been placed correctly, and stimuli such as cold water or sugar may continue to cause painful sensations. If the pain does not subside even weeks after the filling, the filling may need to be replaced.
It is also possible to place a temporary medicated dressing inside the tooth for several weeks until the pain subsides, after which it is replaced with a new filling.
Spontaneous Pain Without Stimuli
This type of pain usually indicates inflammation of the dental nerve. In that case, root canal treatment is required.
Dull Pain in the Gum Area
This type of pain can occur after treatment as a result of the anesthesia injection in the gum area. Additionally, if the new filling allows food to get stuck between two teeth, it may lead to gum inflammation, discomfort, and mild pain.
If you feel that food is getting trapped between your teeth, visit your dentist so the problem can be solved by placing an appropriate filling or a crown (ceramic crown).
