It’s normal to experience some tooth pain or sensitivity after a filling, especially when eating, biting, or drinking hot or cold beverages. This discomfort usually happens because the tooth and nerve need time to heal after the procedure, and typically improves within a few days to one or two weeks. However, pain can also occur if the filling is too high, if the cavity is deep and close to the nerve, or if the tooth is cracked or infected. To relieve discomfort, avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods, use pain relievers and sensitive toothpaste, and chew on the opposite side. If the pain worsens or lasts longer than two weeks, visit your dentist. A simple adjustment or further treatment may be needed.
Tooth Still Hurts After a Filling? Causes, Timeline & When to Worry
- Published on :
- Last updated: November 24, 2025
Getting a dental filling is one of the most common treatments for cavities and tooth decay.
For most people, the procedure is simple, quick, and brings immediate relief. But what if, instead of the discomfort going away, your tooth still hurts after the filling?
If you’re experiencing lingering pain, sensitivity, or discomfort days or even weeks after your dental treatment, you’re not alone. Nearly 1 in 5 people experience some form of post-filling sensitivity, according to global dental studies, and it’s usually temporary.
This blog explains why it happens, how long it lasts, when it’s normal, and when you need to visit a dentist again.
Written for Indian patients in simple language and optimised without sounding robotic, just like how we explain things at Summit Dental Clinic.
Why Does a Tooth Hurt After a Filling?
A filling is meant to fix a decayed or broken tooth and relieve pain, not create more of it.
But teeth are living structures. When a dentist works on them, the inner layers can react with temporary inflammation.
Here are the most common reasons your tooth may hurt after a filling:
Nerve Irritation (Most Common Reason)
If your dental cavity was deep or the tooth had been infected for a long time, the nerve inside the tooth may already be inflamed.
During a filling, the dentist removes decay close to the nerve, which can make it more sensitive.
You may feel:
Sensitivity to cold or hot foods
Mild pain during chewing
Occasional sharp sensations
Discomfort that comes and goes
How long does it last?
Usually 2–4 weeks, sometimes longer.
When to worry:
If the pain increases instead of decreasing, or you cannot chew on that tooth at all, it may indicate the nerve is unable to heal.
In such cases, your dentist may recommend a microscope-guided root canal treatment.
High Filling or Incorrect Bite Alignment
After a filling, the dentist adjusts your bite to ensure your teeth close comfortably.
But sometimes the filling sits a little higher than your natural tooth surface.
Symptoms of a high filling:
Sharp pain when biting
Pressure on one specific tooth
Jaw soreness
Headache in some cases
How long does it last?
A mild bite discrepancy settles in 1–2 weeks.
A significant one will not settle on its own and needs a quick 2-minute correction at the clinic.
At Summit Dental Clinic, we always schedule a follow-up appointment for this reason to ensure your bite is perfect.
Cracked Tooth
Cracked teeth are more common today due to:
Hard food habits
Night grinding
Large old fillings
Stress-related clenching
A crack can cause random sharp pain, especially while biting or releasing the bite.
Why cracks cause pain:
The crack allows fluid movement inside the tooth, irritating the nerve.
How dentists confirm it:
Using advanced imaging like CBCT (Cone Beam CT), which shows hairline cracks not visible on normal X-rays.
Incorrect Initial Diagnosis
Not all tooth pain is caused by cavities alone.
If the nerve was already infected, a filling cannot solve the problem.
The correct treatment would have been a root canal.
Signs the nerve may be infected:
Pain that wakes you up at night
Pain without any trigger
Pain that spreads to the ear or jaw
Swelling or a bump near the tooth
If the wrong treatment is done, pain will worsen over the days instead of improving.
Gum Disease or Receding Gums
Sometimes the pain is not from the tooth at all, but from the gums.
Gum disease (periodontitis) can expose the sensitive root surface, making you feel:
Sharp discomfort while brushing
Sensitivity to air
Mild throbbing after a filling
Gum disease often shows no symptoms initially, which is why preventive dental visits matter.
Sensitivity From Filling Materials
Although rare, some people may react to the material used for the filling.
Common materials:
| Material | Usually Used For | Sensitivity Risk |
|---|---|---|
|
Composite Resin |
Front & back teeth |
Mild temporary sensitivity
|
|
Silver Amalgam |
Back teeth |
Very rare allergies |
|
Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) |
Children, temporary fillings |
Least sensitivity |
If a patient reacts to a material, the dentist may replace the filling with an alternative.
Inflammation From the Procedure Itself
Even with a perfect filling, the tooth may remain sensitive for a few days.
Why?
Because dental procedures generate:
Vibrations
Heat
Pressure
This temporarily irritates the tooth, similar to how a bruise takes time to heal.
What’s Normal vs. Abnormal After a Filling?
| Symptom | Normal | Not Normal |
|---|---|---|
|
Mild cold sensitivity |
✔ Yes |
❌ If it lasts 3–4 weeks or worsens |
|
Sensitivity to sweets |
✔ Yes |
❌ If sharp or lingering |
|
Pain on biting |
✔ Slight |
❌ Sharp or increasing pain |
|
Hot sensitivity |
✔ Sometimes |
❌ If throbbing or severe |
|
Gum tenderness |
✔ A few days |
❌ Swelling or bleeding repeatedly |
|
Pain at night |
❌ No |
❌ Needs urgent care |
|
Swelling |
❌ No |
❌ Immediate check-up |
|
Fever |
❌ No |
❌ Emergency dental visit |
How Long Should Pain Last After a Filling?
Most people recover within:
🟢 1–3 Days:
Mild sensitivity, slight pressure, normal healing.
🟡 1–2 Weeks:
If the cavity was deep or multiple surfaces were treated.
🔴 More Than 3 Weeks:
Sensitivity should start reducing, not increasing.
If symptoms worsen, the nerve may be struggling.
🚨 More Than 4 Weeks:
You should revisit your dentist for evaluation.
When Should You See a Dentist Again?
Seek dental help immediately if you notice:
Pain that keeps getting worse
Pain that disturbs sleep
Swelling in the gums or cheek
Fever or pus discharge
Severe pain on biting
Pain lasting more than 3–4 weeks
Sometimes, a simple correction of the filling height can solve the issue instantly.
But if the nerve is infected, timely treatment can prevent tooth loss.
How to Care for Your Tooth After a Filling
Here are simple tips to reduce discomfort:
✔ Avoid biting hard foods for 24 hours
Let the filling settle.
✔ Use a sensitive toothpaste
Brands containing potassium nitrate help calm nerve fibres.
✔ Avoid extremely hot or cold foods temporarily
Especially if your filling was deep.
✔ Maintain gentle brushing and flossing
Do not skip oral care.
✔ Take painkillers only if prescribed
Do not self-medicate repeatedly.
Final Thoughts
Fillings are one of the safest and most effective ways to treat tooth decay. Most people experience mild, short-term sensitivity, which settles as the tooth heals.
However, if pain continues beyond a few weeks, increases in intensity, or comes with swelling or fever, you should seek dental help immediately. Timely treatment prevents complications and protects your tooth for the long term.
If you’re unsure whether your pain is normal or not, a quick evaluation at Summit Dental Clinic can help determine the right solution and give you peace of mind.
