Do Dental Fillings Hurt?

Finding out you have a cavity is hardly welcome news. Fortunately, dentists can restore tooth decay (cavities) with dental fillings. While it can sometimes hurt to have a cavity filled, it is best to do so early on. Otherwise, the cavity may progress and need a root canal. This blog will cover what to expect when having a cavity filled.

What to know about dental fillings

Dental fillings can sometimes cause mild discomfort if the cavity is large enough, extends deep into the tooth, or is in an inconvenient location. Explore these factors below.

Cavity size

The size of the cavity can greatly affect the level of discomfort involved in having it filled. A small cavity should be relatively painless to fill. The dentist may only need to use a numbing gel; if a local anesthetic is needed, injecting it into the surrounding area should be easy. If the dentist can catch the cavity early enough, the dentist may not even need to use a numbing agent.

While the dentist will use enough anesthetic to fill a large cavity painlessly, patients sometimes report feeling discomfort when the dentist begins drilling to remove the tooth decay. This is typically due to the anxiety brought on by the sound of the drill. The actual injection can also be painful for a few seconds. Using a numbing gel beforehand can reduce this discomfort.

Cavity depth

Cavities extending deep into the tooth (such as the tooth’s nerve endings, or “pulp”) are harder to fill and will likely cause more discomfort. In addition, filling a deep cavity without local anesthetic would be painful and, therefore, is not recommended. Fortunately, dentists utilize local anesthetics to make dental fillings for deep cavities relatively painless.

Cavity location

The location of a cavity determines how painful it is and whether numbing gels or local anesthetic is necessary. For example, a numbing gel should suffice when filling a small cavity on the tooth’s outer layer (the enamel). This may apply to minor cavities in the tooth’s chewing surface (pit and fissure cavities) and those on the side of the tooth (smooth surface cavities). However, local anesthetic is recommended for cavities closer to the tooth’s roots (root cavities).

Other factors

Other factors include the number of cavities to fill, which type of numbing agent will be necessary, and the type of filling. If the dentist only uses a topical numbing gel, there may be slight minor discomfort once the dentist begins drilling. But, again, the dentist can inject a local anesthetic to remedy this issue.

Managing discomfort after getting a filling

It is normal to experience some pain and sensitivity after having a cavity filled, although this should subside within a couple of days. Brushing gently and not chewing with the restored tooth is recommended during this recovery period. If needed, over-the-counter medications (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help.