Dr. Kate DDS
Nothing is more agonizing than a painful tooth. Moreover, if it happens after your recent visit to the dentist, it may lead you to sheer discomfort and dismay. However, before reproaching your dentist, we must understand the different reasons that may be gathering up for causing trouble.
Pain after tooth filling can occur in the following scenarios.
Deep Filling
The tooth is a living organ with tiny blood vessels and nerves enclosed within a chamber known as pulp. All types of dental fillings are mainly designed in a way to protect the area of pulp from the oral environment. The cleaning of decayed cavity walls may obviate a deep excavation that may get close to the pulp cavity and activate the sensitive nerves within. This may become evident a few hours after having the filling done as the effect of local anaesthesia wanes off, and the normal sensation of tooth returns.
Such pain is self-limiting and may usually settle with simple painkillers available over the counter or as prescribed by your dentist.
High Spot
Just like a notch in the rail track can be easily felt as the train changes its path, some tiny imperfections at the contacts of teeth may become a centre of notice during the bite. Dental filling materials are robust with high surface hardness to sustain massive chewing forces. A slight overpacking of the material may leave that tooth “proud” than the rest of the teeth taking an entire load of chewing alone. This condition is referred to as “High Spot.” It is sensed by the underlying bone and muscles which may respond in pain of varying extent, from the tooth itself to spreading wide around the jaws.
Although it may not be self-limiting, a simple re-contour of the filling by your dentist may usually be all that’s required in this situation.
Faulty Filling
When natural tooth structure is replaced by artificial substance, a little defect in the confirmation of exact shape is no surprise. Such defects may harbour food particles which if not cleaned effectively may irritate gums in the surrounding areas.
On a few rare occasions, the filling material itself has proven to be the culprit for causing pain. Certain types of silver amalgam fillings undergo slight expansion under the humid environment which may produce stress on the tooth. However, as stated this does not occur very often nowadays since the silver-based fillings have largely been replaced with newer tooth coloured fillings.
The treatment may either involve re-contouring of the faulty shape of filling or in case of amalgam expansion a complete replacement of the filling with some other material.
Inflamed Pulp
Sometimes the tooth structure lost due to decay is so much that it may expose pinpoint areas of pulp. Despite being diseased already such teeth may not be painful routinely until bothered by a dental procedure which is otherwise rightful and justified. When the dentist cleans the tooth to place the filling such feeble pulp areas may get flared up triggering a response of pain. Pain in such conditions is usually throbbing in nature but may also be constant with variable intensity. In addition to this, it may arise early or a few days late after the treatment.
Such teeth require more invasive treatment of the core of tooth to treat the blazing pulp tissues. The dentist may also advise you to get a root canal treatment did which involves complete removal of the diseased nerves and blood vessels within the pulp followed by a filling compatible with staying within the core of tooth for an indefinite period.
Tooth Fracture
Teeth bearing large fillings are naturally weak and may not be able to sustain heavy biting forces. An apparatus like that is likely to get fractured upon sudden impacts such as an accidental bite on a piece of bone or hard candy. The effect may fracture the filling, or else the tooth spreading deep into its roots. The tooth in this condition is painful on biting but may seem to have an intact structure.
Fractured fillings have to be replaced with new ones; however, when the tooth gets fractured it may either be dealt with supportive options like capping or in worst circumstances be extracted completely.
Like other living tissues of the human body, teeth may also get hurt and cause pain. Origin of pain can be from many sources, but no matter what is the source, thorough diagnosis and correct treatment is the best policy for relief. If you need urgent treatment please visit your nearby dental.
