Dental fillings have been an integral part of dental care for decades and have saved many teeth that would have otherwise worsened and required more involved and costly dental procedures. However, a filling procedure needs to be performed properly for this to be the case. After getting a new filling, you may feel some soreness or pain in the area for a couple of days, and this is completely normal. If a filling procedure is not performed properly, you will likely begin to experience more pain consistently.
If you’re having any pain with a filling that’s not new, contact our office as soon as possible at (503) 620-2807 to schedule a visit to find the source of your concern.
Why Am I Having Pain Around an Older Filling?
If you’re suddenly feeling pain around a filling from months or years back, you may have an improper filling. Be aware of any pain when you bite or chew, as the filling may be affecting how the chewing surfaces of your teeth meet and rub against each other.
If you’re experiencing what might be described as ‘toothache pain’ deep in your tooth, this could be an indication that the pulp of your tooth wasn’t properly prepared prior to the filling procedure. When this happens, your risk of advanced decay increases and may require a root canal.
What About the Teeth Next to an Improper Filling?
If you’re experiencing sensitivity or pain in teeth other than the filled tooth, this could be what is known as referred pain and is typically due to your filled tooth passing pain signals to other teeth. However, an improper filling can damage adjacent teeth in the case that decay is in an area where two teeth meet. In addition, the seal between your enamel and your filling can break down over time due to wear and tear. This can lead to serious conditions, such as an abscessed tooth.
