Tooth ache AFTER a filling?....?

Question

I just had a silver filling done on a molar over 4 hours ago and now it hurts WAY worse than it did before! It is 10 times as sensitive to cold, too! Is this normal and what do I do about it?

Answer 1

You're experiencing hypersensitivity or pulpitis from the work done today, it sometimes takes a tooth a month or two to settle down completely just from being worked on, which most patients never notice. For the next few days try not to put anything too hot or cold on the new filling and let the tooth settle down a little. This should take care of the problem. The silver filling is not the same composition as your natural tooth, so they expand and contract at different ratios which places pressure on the tooth's structure which holds or encases the filling. Also this metal filling will get cold or hot and retain it much longer, and this metal is sitting closer to your pulp, which is the nerve that's being over stimulated and reacting by causing you pain. Just be careful for a few days with eating and drinking on it, if by then you are still uncomfortable call your dentist and let him evaluate the tooth. Perhaps the decay was too close to the nerve causing too much damage, this tooth may need a root canal to relieve the symptoms. You might want to let it settle down some, also use Advil or Motrin 600-800 mg for the next couple of days for inflammation and to help calm it down. Hope I've been of some help and good luck!

Answer 2

It's normal. Trust me, i know. The drilling and everything is a lot for a tooth to take,especially if the drill accidentally hits a nerve (OUCH!) and once the novocaine wears off, you start to feel the full extent of the damage (do you feel pain where you got the needle too? I usually do for a day or 2). It could hurt for a few days, but you could lessen the pain by rinsing your mouth with a water/hydrogen peroxide mixture or Listerine. Brushing with Sensidine toothpaste or using oral painkillers like Oragel or Ambesol could help too. Hope you feel better soon,though,'cause i know what that's like and it isn't fun.