Why does my tooth hurt years later after a filling? (2023)

Sometimes, the bacteria in your mouth can work their way into the seam between an old dental filling and the tooth enamel. This can cause sensitivity, general discomfort, or increasing toothache pain.

The reason for the sensitivity is usually the inflammation of nerves inside the tooth after the procedure. Tooth sensitivity right after dental work is absolutely normal. However, if the sensitivity persists weeks or even months after the process, it may be a sign of a severe issue that needs prompt attention.

However, if the filling doesn’t give an intact seal, its tooth may develop problems. The tooth may become painful. The tooth may ache or throb all the time. Or you may only notice problems when you eat or drink.

With treatment, dental nerve damage can heal in six to eight weeks. If, however, the effects last more than six months, then it is considered permanent nerve damage. Depending on the cause of injury, there are various treatments that may be applied to treat dental nerve damage.

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever – Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other pain relievers can ease the pain. Use a cold compress – An ice pack or cold damp cloth can numb the area and can be especially helpful if you are experiencing swelling. Swish salt water or peroxide – These rinses can relieve inflammation.

The majority of deep fillings can be treated successfully without resulting in sensitivity and do not require root canal treatments.

redness inside the mouth, or outside the mouth on the face or jaw. sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink in the affected area. a bad taste in your mouth. difficulty opening your mouth and chewing food.

There is no single number of how many times you can have a filling replaced. Usually, we will stop replacing the dental filling after the hole becomes too large. Once you have more filling material than natural tooth material your tooth no longer holds enough strength.

Tooth sensitivity occurs when the inner layer of your tooth, known as dentin, becomes exposed. This type of toothache occurs even when there’s no cavity to find. Dentin usually becomes exposed when there’s a wearing away of enamel or gum recession.

If the filling is too close to the nerve, it may get infected slowly. Dentists can’t predict the time frame for the tooth to become infected. If infected, you may experience a throbbing pain or a dental abscess.

Tooth nerve pain can feel severe like a sharp, stabbing pain or as little as a dull ache. If your tooth nerve is exposed, particular foods and drinks will probably trigger the pain. Pain in an exposed tooth nerve can be triggered by foods and drinks that are hot or cold, sugary, acidic, or sour.

Here are some of the most common signs of tooth nerve pain: A dull ache along the gum line. Pain that targets a single tooth or radiates throughout the mouth. Discomfort that worsens after eating, especially following meals that are hot, cold, or acidic.

Dental fillings are used as a restorative measure in teeth that have been affected by decay or damage. It is a common procedure and most fillings are carried out without any issues, but sometimes dentists may perform the treatment poorly, which can lead to a number of problems as a result.

Causes of Tooth Nerve Pain

Pulp sensitivity or pain results from a tooth infection or decay, recent tooth filling, pressure from bruxism, and dental trauma like chips, cracks, and breaks. Dentinal sensitivity is nerve pain that generally happens when the tooth’s enamel is damaged or eroded.

Encountering tooth sensitivity following a dental procedure is common. But if the sensitivity and discomfort continue months after the treatment, you should visit your dentist. There may be a lingering issue that needs immediate treatment.

Dental treatment alternatives to a root canal include direct pulp capping, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, endodontic retreatment, endodontic surgery, tooth extraction, dental implants, bridges, or dentures.

An irritated nerve is not uncommon when a deep filling is placed. Irritated nerves can result in inflammation and can cause pain. Your enamel and cementum usually protect the nerve from exposure, but deep fillings can reach the nerve endings and cause uncomfortable, sharp sensations.

Rinsing with salt water creates a saline mixture to safely begin sterilizing the infection. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of table salt with 1/2 cup of warm tap water. Swish in your mouth for a few minutes before spitting. Repeat every few hours if needed.

Yes, applying a cotton ball soaked in regular Listerine on an infected tooth will relieve tooth pain. Listerine is about 27% alcohol, and alcohol numbs nerve endings.

The nerve has some transient inflammation in response to the procedure which can manifest as temperature sensitivity. The best way to tell that it is reversible pulpitis is if the discomfort goes away soon after removing the extreme temperature. The sensitivity can range from mild to intense.

The x-ray allows your dentist to see the inside of your tooth, including the roots and surrounding tissues, to determine if there is any damage or infection that may require a root canal.

The dentist will determine the need for a root canal through one or several of the following methods: x-rays, the cavity test, selective anesthesia (to identify where the source of pain is when the patient doesn’t know), thermal and electric testing, or by tapping on the problem tooth.

Although uncommon, if your composite filling needs a touchup, we can repair it by adding more composite material. Its easy application, durability, and natural aesthetics make composite the preferred material for fillings among our dentists as well.

The Removal Process

The dentist will use a small tool to break up the existing filling and the suction to remove the vapors and particles from your mouth. The dentist may use a small instrument that actually fits over the tooth that pulls all vapors and material in as soon as it is broken loose from your tooth.

So, what can you expect from a filling replacement procedure? Well, it’s mostly the same as a regular filling procedure, but with a tad more work on the part of the dentist, who will remove the old or damaged filling and replace it with a new one. As with any filling, you always have options.

Although cavities are one of the most common causes of tooth pain, they’re not the only cause. Toothaches can also stem from gum disease, tooth sensitivity, bruxism, a cracked tooth, an abscess, or an impacted tooth. Even food stuck between teeth can cause dental pain.

2: Irritation of the Periodontal Tissues

If the pain is intense, it could mean you are having complications related to the periodontal tissues, providing the nerves have been successfully removed from the tooth. You don’t feel pain from the tooth anymore but from these tissues.

In conclusion, a toothache does not necessarily mean infection. It’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist to identify the source of the problem. Once a diagnosis has been made, your dentist can move forward with an appropriate treatment plan to get you back to a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle.

Sometimes the pain feels more intense at night. This is thought to be because blood rushes to the head while one is lying down. Lingering pain could indicate an issue with the filling. The tooth might be more damaged than the dentist had originally thought.

There are many signs that your filling may need to be replaced. Some of these include sensitivity to hot or cold food or beverages, an uneven surface, cracking, chipping, or decay around the filling, a broken tooth again, shifting of a tooth’s position, or a change in the color of a tooth after it has been filled.

Nerve Damage Does Not Heal Itself…

When symptoms are minor and the root of the tooth is exposed, a dental filling is considered by the dentist. Where the symptoms are major, root canal treatment is required. Either way, consult the dentist for emergency treatment as soon as you can.

They will also be able to see if your filling has cracks or has worn away. Your dentist will also use dental X-rays to see if there is any tooth decay underneath your fillings and between your teeth that is hard to detect by just looking at a tooth.

On average, you can expect a metal filling to last for about 15 years before needing to be replaced, but the length of time can vary based on several factors, such as if you grind or clench your teeth. Tooth-colored fillings are made from a mixture of fine glass and plastic particles.

Leaky fillings can be painful and make your tooth extremely sensitive, causing headaches and uncomfortable feelings in your mouth. Some common symptoms of a leaky filling include sensitivity to hot or cold food & drinks, noticeable holes under a filling, toothaches, headaches, pain while chewing, and even bad breath.

Determining the risk of nerve damage with proper imaging is critical. A panorex and CBCT scan is done to determine the level of risk during an extraction. If a tooth is considered high risk then a coronectomy is indicated. A coronectomy is the removal of the entire crown of the third molar, leaving the roots in place.

If tapping lightly on the tooth causes acute pain, this is usually a sign of local infection. Infections can often be treated with the simple use of antibiotics, but, in severe cases, an abscess may develop in the gums, teeth or bone of the jaw that may require surgical drainage.

Toothache refers to pain in and/or around your teeth. This pain occurs when the nerve endings in the root of your tooth are irritated. Teeth sensitivity is usually more of a long-term issue than toothache. It can develop over time due to wear and tear of the enamel of your teeth and/or receding gums.

X-rays can also be used to detect dead nerves in teeth. Although x-rays cannot provide an image of soft tissue, once the dead nerve has caused damage to the bone surrounding the apex, or tip, of the root, it can be spotted on an x-ray film.

A dying tooth may appear yellow, light brown, gray, or even black. It may look almost as if the tooth is bruised. The discoloration will increase over time as the tooth continues to decay and the nerve dies. If you experience any symptoms of a dying tooth, it’s important to see your dentist right away.

A bad filling could cause you to feel some sharp tooth pain when biting down and chewing with the tooth and may undergo changes in texture and coloring in the surrounding tooth enamel as bacteria affects the seam that seals the filling to the tooth enamel.

The number of fillings you can get will depend on a few factors, including the size and location of the tooth, the filling material used, and the dentist’s skills. However, most teeth can safely have up to three fillings.

Fillings can become damaged or loose for a variety of reasons. Fillings are not intended to last forever. The bond that holds the metal or composite resin in place will eventually weaken over time. This process may occur more quickly if patients grind their teeth at night.

On average, you can expect a metal filling to last for about 15 years before needing to be replaced, but the length of time can vary based on several factors, such as if you grind or clench your teeth. Tooth-colored fillings are made from a mixture of fine glass and plastic particles.

A patient with resin fillings may need to replace the fillings every seven to 10 years. Silver or amalgam fillings are also popular due to their durability and affordability, lasting an average of 15 years. Gold fillings are less popular because they are more expensive. However, gold fillings can last the longest.

There is no predetermined number of times you can replace dental fillings. Generally, dentists refuse to replace dental fillings if the cavity expands to become too large. Your tooth loses integrity every time you must have the tooth-filling material replaced.

A persistently high fever, dizziness, lightheadedness, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion, and digestive problems are potential signs of sepsis and should be treated as a medical emergency.

Your dentist will likely perform an X-ray to determine the extent of the infection. If there’s any suspicion that the infection has spread to other parts of the body, your dentist may also perform a CT scan.

If the filling has not been adequately prepared, the mixture may not bond properly to the tooth tissue and this may cause the filling to fall out or cause a gap, which could then allow further decay to form and lead to long lasting toothache as the pulp of the tooth becomes infected.