In April, my dentist filled a front tooth with composite. Floss was getting stuck between my teeth, so I told my dentist about it when I had my checkup in October. She smoothed the surface, and the floss did not get stuck anymore. I thought the tooth was a little sensitive, and a few days later, when I was eating, the sensitivity was so intense that it felt like an electric shock. I returned to the dentist for an x-ray, and she told me to take ibuprofen because the tooth looked okay. I waited a month, then stopped taking ibuprofen, and the pain returned. If I return to the dentist, she will probably replace the filling. But the pain makes me wonder if I need a root canal. My dentist seems casual about the issue, so do you recommend a new filling or that I ask for a referral to a specialist? – Thank you. Irena from MS
Irena,
Thank you for your question. We will explain what may be causing the pain and what to do about it.
What Causes Pain After a Tooth Filling?
After getting a new filling, some irritation is typical. But it should improve, not get worse and feel like an electric shock. The decay beneath your old filling may have caused bacteria to get into your tooth fold. The irritation of smoothing the tooth surface so that you can floss may have worsened the condition.
What to Do About Intense Pain After a Filling
If you feel intense pain after a filling and your dentist cannot resolve it, ask to see a root canal specialist (endodontist). You do not need to make an emergency appointment with another dentist. But if you need a new composite filling or a tooth crown, you may want to schedule an appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist for healthy, natural-looking results.
Preventing Your Tooth from Darkening After a Root Canal
A dentist can prevent your tooth from turning dark after root canal treatment with these steps:
- Complete root canal treatment
- Remove the root canal filling material from inside the tooth crown
- Trim the filling material to ensure it Is below the tooth attachment
- If the filling is large and you need a dental crown after root canal treatment, you do not have to worry about the tooth turning dark.
David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana dentist, sponsors this post. Read about what he and Dr. PJ Henderson do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.
