What causes pain in a tooth after getting it filled?

Question

Hello doctor,

I got a filling done for a sensitivity problem in a tooth. However, the pain recurred as some cavity was left out beneath the filling. So I had to get the filling done again. Currently, I have pain in the tooth when chewing on both soft and hard foods. Also, the pain lasts for a while before subsiding. What can be the cause of pain?

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern and would be happy to help. You have pain either due to galvanism or microleakage. Galvanism occurs due to metal alloy restoration in the oral cavity, with saliva acting as a medium. Microleakage occurs when the restoration and tooth edge margins do not fuse properly, which causes seepage of oral fluids into the filling, causing secondary caries.

Provisional diagnosis: The pain can occur due to microleakage.

Differential diagnosis: The other reasons for pain can be galvanism or secondary caries.

Diagnostic tests: Tenderness on percussion is observed on clinical examination.

Treatment:

I suggest an application of dental varnish or petroleum jelly over the restoration to seal the margins.

I hope this helps. Kindly revert in case of further questions.

Thank you.