Tooth Sensitivity After Filling
During your routine professional dental cleaning, your dentist will examine your teeth and review your x-rays. If they identify a cavity, they will recommend a dental cleaning to restore the tooth. Left untreated, a small cavity can grow bigger and deeper causing you to need more invasive treatment which could include a root canal. A tooth filling in richmond virginia is less invasive and less costly than a root canal and crown so it is important for a number of reasons to proceed with a tooth filling when advised.
It is possible to have decay without symptoms and if the decay is extensive enough, you may require a root canal. Your dentist will refer you to an endodontist for root canal therapy. Once the root canal is complete, the endodontist will place a temporary filling to keep the tooth protected until you can see your dentist for a permanent restoration. Take care when brushing and flossing a temporary filling. Dental floss can pull the filling out so if something snags, pull the floss out of the side of your teeth instead of pulling up.
Root canal treated teeth often need a crown but sometimes, a dental filling can be placed instead! Tooth feelings are most often made from composite or porcelain but they can also be made from metal. Porcelain and composite are able to be tinted to match the rest of your teeth so they are ideal for decay on anterior teeth.
Sensitivity After a Dental Filling
Having a tooth worked on is a form of trauma to the tooth so it is incredibly common to experience some level of sensitivity after having a filling placed. Even in root canal treated teeth, the tooth can be sore and sensitive even though the nerves have been removed. Most of the time, discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. Pain meds such as ibuprofen or other NSAIDs work better to treat dental pain than aspirin or Tylenol.
Sensitivity after a filling should subside on its own within a couple of weeks. If it does not, visit your dentist for a reevaluation to make sure the filling is well fitting and not damaged.
After a filling is placed, take care when consuming very hot or cold foods and beverages. It can also help speed recovery if you avoid chewing on the tooth altogether.
If your dentist diagnoses a cavity, receive treatment as soon as possible to avoid further damage and the need for more extensive and expensive treatment.