Do fillings hurt?

Does getting a filling hurt?

Healthline says some fillings can hurt, but most are minimally uncomfortable. Pain is more likely with deep cavities, which sit closer to the nerve and take longer to fill. The dentist numbs the tooth first, so you should not feel the drilling. You may feel a brief pinch or sting as the anesthetic starts working, and Healthline says an experienced dentist should keep it from hurting much.

If you feel pain during the procedure, tell your dentist. Healthline says the dentist can stop and give an injection.

How numbing works for a filling

Healthline explains that a topical gel numbs the gums only and mainly keeps the injection from stinging, while an injected anesthetic numbs the tooth. Deep cavities usually call for an injection. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is mainly used to ease fear and anxiety, although it can also reduce pain. Cleveland Clinic says sedation is available for patients with dental anxiety.

Healthline does not specifically address fillings done with no anesthetic, and suggests that people with a very high pain tolerance might need less numbing but that an injection is generally recommended for deep cavities.

How you may feel afterwards

Healthline says mild sensitivity or discomfort for a day or two is common, especially with hot, cold or cold air, and that gums may feel tender for a few days when brushing or flossing. Healthline's guide to eating after a filling reports sensitivity typically lasting one to three days, pain peaking around 24 hours and mostly gone in three days to a week. Healthline's sensitivity page says it should go away within two to four weeks, and Cleveland Clinic says mild sensitivity and gum soreness typically fade within a week or two.

Why a filled tooth hurts when you bite

Healthline's page on tooth sensitivity after a filling says the most common cause is a bite problem: a filling that sits taller than the other teeth causes pain when you close your mouth, and biting down on it can crack the filling. Contact your dentist as soon as you suspect it, because the dentist can adjust the filling so it matches your other teeth.

Why a filling can hurt weeks or months later

Pain that lasts or returns points to a problem that needs a dentist. Healthline says sensitivity can persist for several months in some cases and is more likely after deeper fillings that irritate the nerve. Its sensitivity page describes pulpitis, inflammation of the pulp: reversible pulpitis may heal, but irreversible pulpitis usually needs a root canal, and if decayed tissue was not fully removed, infection can develop.

ADA MouthHealthy says decay also commonly forms at the edges of old fillings, where bacteria collect, and Cleveland Clinic lists a throbbing toothache, pain when biting and pain that lingers after hot or cold contact as signs a filling needs attention. We did not find a source that specifically covers a cracked filling or a cracked tooth as the cause, so a dentist's exam and X-ray are the way to find out.

What to do while you wait to be seen

Healthline suggests taking an NSAID such as ibuprofen if appropriate for you, temporarily avoiding hot or cold and acidic foods and drinks, brushing and flossing gently, considering a desensitizing toothpaste, and chewing on the other side. Follow the label and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure about pain medicine.

Rare reactions

Healthline's sensitivity page says an allergic reaction to filling material is rare but possible, may come with a rash or itching, and may mean the filling needs to be redone with a different material. Touching surfaces of different metals, such as a gold crown against a silver filling, can also cause an odd sensation.

Frequently asked questions