Do really small fillings hurt??

Question

hiii,
i recently went to the dentist and he found a surprise first cavity for mee by x ray. he said its really small and couldnt see it by eye and i was wondering if when he fills it on friday if it will hurt a lot afterwards or during and if the tooth will feel funny afterwards, im sooo scared..
thanks a lot :):)

Answer 1

No, it won't hurt, even fairly large ones shouldn't be too painful if he know's what he's doing.

There are two things he might do. If it's a really small one, he may well decide to use 'pit and fissure sealant' on it, which I had for a small cavity. It's less invasive, but might need renewing after a few years wear. He'll need to drill a tiny bit but you won't feel it in the tooth and won't need anaesthetic for it.

What he might do instead if the pit is slightly bigger is rub some anaesthetic and adrenaline gel on your gum, then give you a small anaesthetic injection near the tooth he's going to be drilling. This will be the only even slightly painful part!
The drilling itself is a little strange - becasue you can't feel it in your tooth, the only way you can feel it is by the actual buzzing and pressure on your jawbone. It won't take long for a small hole and then he'll put a special glue in and then fill the hole with amalgam - make sure he uses the white one not the black one, it not only looks better, but is better for your health - after which you might need a light shone in your mouth for a bit to harden the amalgam off properly.

Afterwards, you might feel a little uncomfortable where he's been drilling, but it won't be any worse than eating a cold ice cream and should be gone a few hours afterwards. Your whole row of teeth might feel a little peculiar for a few days because they will need to readjust to the fact that one of them has changed shape slightly, though the dentist should file away any protruding filling material after he's finished. Gnash them a few times when he's done and if you think they don't fit properly, ask him if he will check them out using something called 'biting paper'. This is basically red carbon paper for your teeth which allows him to see which bit is touching what and deal with it.

If you've got small pits coming in your teeth it might be wise (if the rest of your teeth seem to be okay) to have them fissure sealed. This involves 'etching' the teeth lightly with acid (not much stronger than coke or lemon juice) then coating the natural fissures with white goop, which acts like a protective varnish stopping food getting stuck and plaque from forming. They'll be easier to keep clean and will help prevent fillings as long as you keep an eye on it and have it renewed every once in a while.

Anyway, don't worry about the filling - the dentist is paid to get it right and if it's only a small one it won't hurt at all - mine didn't!

Answer 2

Sometimes small fillings don't even require anesthesia.

My experience is that the deeper the cavity, the greater the discomfort, but even the worst post-filling discomfort goes away eventually, usually within a day or two. And I am talking here about really massive fillings that go deep into the tooth. If yours is really that small of a filling, I doubt you'll notice anything is different.

This must be your first filling. :)

Answer 3

Hi, I don't like the injection in my gums, because of a bad dentist when I was a kid. So the last filling I had I told the dentist I didn't whant an injection, and appart from some pushing and prodding I didn't feel a thing. The feeling anxious and scared is worse than any pain you will feel.

Answer 4

I've had a few of those. My dentist has called them "pits". You should not feel anything odd afterwards. The place where they filled it in might feel strange when you touch it with your tongue, or you bite might feel odd. Other than that, the only discomfort you should feel should only be the Novocaine wearing off.

Answer 5

The anxiety is worse than what happens. Pits are really easy to treat, you probably won't even need an anaesthetic. The worst part is the noise. Take an mp3 player to take your mind off it.
Try not to get too stressed beforehand, its really not too bad.

Answer 6

Fillings dont hurt at all.

It's the great big drills that hurt!!!

First that fast high pitched one that screams more than you do as it digs in to your teeth with that pin-point drill bit.

then that dull slow grinding bit that makes your whole body vibrate right to your bones; god i hate that one so much!!

How loud can you scream with all those bits of equipment in your mouth?



JJ

Answer 7

Don't worry. I just had some done for the first time, and I was worried for nothing. It's not painful. Ask for the laughing gas to relax you first.

Answer 8

I do not think it will hurt at all. he should not need to give you an injection if it is realy small. but the doooes it need to be filled. a small filling tends to lead to a bigger one ;later

Answer 9

No mine didn't except for the shot they give you to numb your mouth it just hurt going in and coming out. but you wont feel anything after that

Answer 10

oooo yes it hurts like hell better you than me thats for sure. hope that puts you at ease