Pain around Fillings

Fillings are an important part of repairing damaged teeth, but they may cause some sensitivity. A bit of soreness immediately following their placement is not uncommon, but if the pain lasts, or if the area around the filling becomes sensitive long after the placement, the patient should seek further treatment.

A filling may cause persistent pain after its placement if it was misshapen and either prevents the patient from biting down properly or doesn’t completely fill the cavity it was placed in. Both these problems are easy to correct but will not improve on their own. It could also be that the decay the filling was meant to restore went deep into the pulp of the tooth, in which case a root canal will be necessary to remove the infection.

If a tooth with a filling was originally comfortable but becomes painful later, it may be that a second crack has developed, allowing bacteria to infiltrate the pulp of the tooth. It is also possible that the seal holding a filling in place has cracked, which can happen as it ages. Bacteria can take up residence in a cracked seal, contributing to tooth decay around a filling. In these cases, a more extensive restoration may be necessary.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit FrederickShawDDS.com and fill out a contact form.