Fillings are meant to replace damaged teeth and provide pain relief. Unfortunately, what happens if the pain does not go away or returns months later. The discomfort shortly after a filling is normal, but ongoing or delayed tooth pain may mean there is a problem. Outline potential reasons, determining if you should be worried, and your next steps.

Is It Normal for a Filling to Hurt Months Later?

Discomfort right after the filling is common, but pain months later is not common and could mean there is a problem. If your filling was successfully completed, you should not be in long-term discomfort.

Possible Reasons for Pain After Months

1. Filling Is Too High

If your filling did not get shaped in the proper way, your bite may not come together correctly and will push on the tooth continuously. If the bite was not evaluated and shaped properly, the constant pressure from occlusion will create strain to the tooth, causing pain over time, referred pain to the jaw, headaches, or toothache.

2. Pulpitis

Pulpitis is in inflammation of the pulped inner of the tooth. If your decay was deep and within millimeters of the nerve, the tooth may not have healed properly, which could be the source of pain after the initial filling.

3. Cracked Tooth

Infrequently, you may crack a tooth around the filling from trauma, grinding your teeth, or even eating something hard. These cracks can be challenging to see but will cause a sharp pain that keeps recurring.

4. Infection

If bacteria have made it beneath the filling, this may cause an infection and/or abscess that can hurt for extended periods of time, sometimes biting pain for months or longer.

5. Referred Pain

Pain may not necessarily be from the filled tooth – rather, it may be from a neighboring tooth and/or sinuses.

Can Teeth be Reinfected After a Filling?

Yes. If the filling was not properly sealed or if the tooth were to decay under or around the filling, bacteria could potentially reinfect the tooth, possibly requiring a root canal or an entirely new filling.

Should I Return to the Dentist’s Office?

Yes, absolutely! If you are in pain, sensitive and/or discomfort, it is best to return sooner rather than later. Since dentists are experts in diagnosing bite alignment and determining irregularly associated issues, they can help you catch an infection or other serious problem before it gets worse.

What Are Signs I Shouldn’t Ignore?

• Pain with biting down
• Pain that is shooting, throbbing, or radiating
• Bad taste or smell in the mouth
• Swelling and/or pus
• Fever

Any or all of these could indicate an infection or serious issue.

Can Fillings Just Fail Over Time?

Yes. Fillings do fail with regularity. Fillings crack, deteriorate, or break off, especially older fillings. Composite (tooth colored) fillings typically last between 5 and 10 years, while amalgam fillings (silver) may last years; regardless, you should visit your dentist regularly.

Questions You May Have:

1. Can tooth pain months after a filling mean a root canal?

Yes, it’s possible; especially if the decay was deep to the nerve. If the nerve was harmed, you may need a root canal.

2. How do I know if the filling is too high?

You may be uncomfortable and feel your teeth are not coming together properly, or you may feel tension in your jaw.

3. Which is most effective for lingering tooth pain after a filling?

Over-the-counter pain relief may help temporarily, but if you want long term relief, you need to visit a dentist to find out the cause.

Conclusion

Tooth pain months after a filling is something to take note of. It could be nothing, for example the bite needing to be adjusted; however, it may indicate a larger issue like a root that is infected or damage to the pulp.

Don’t wait to seek advice from an expert; it just might save your tooth and your long-term oral health!

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