Many people experience anxiety just thinking about sitting in a dental chair. Teeth fillings represent one of the most frequent dental treatments but remain a major source of fear for patients.
Most of this fear originates from not knowing how much pain will be experienced during the procedure. This dental anxiety forces patients to delay required dental treatments, which may lead to severe oral issues.
So, does a tooth filling hurt or is it just a myth? We’ll try to find the answer in this blog.
Does a Tooth Filling Hurt? Here's the Truth
Proper anesthesia ensures that a tooth filling in Patna procedure remains pain-free.
The removal of decay and drilling into a tooth becomes intensely painful when done without anesthesia because the dentist operates close to nerve endings.
Additionally, due to significant pain management improvements by modern dentistry, most patients now find the procedure to be surprisingly comfortable.
Yes, patients indeed experience sensations during a tooth filling, but that does not match the definition of pain. The patient may most likely feel:
- Pressure is felt when the dentist begins working on their teeth
- Vibrations that patients may find strange, but they shouldn’t experience any pain
- Water sprays that help cool down the tooth during your procedure.
- Dental tools come into contact with teeth and gums during the procedure.
- The taste or smell of dental materials
These sensations may feel unusual or slightly uncomfortable to you, but you’ll never feel extreme pain. If you still fear this treatment, remember that expecting pain before the procedure can turn out to be more distressing than the pain that may follow. That’s why every patient should prepare themselves mentally but the procedure step by step.
Step-by-Step Tooth Filling Procedure
By now, you must have understood whether a tooth filling hurts or not. Now let's know about the procedure in detail. The tooth-filling process operates according to a standardized sequence that ensures both effectiveness and patient comfort from start to finish. Here is the step-by-step process:
1. Numbing the Area: To minimize discomfort your dentist starts with applying topical anesthetic gel directly to your gum. The dentist provides local anesthesia through a tiny injection to ensure comfort during treatment.
This injection causes a short pinch but then it makes the affected area numb to make the procedure pain-free.
You don’t have to fear anything because the numbing effect will generally persist for 1-3 hours, which provides sufficient time to finish the filling.
2. Removing Decay: When the mouth is completely numb, your dentist will utilize specialized instruments such as a dental drill or air abrasion tool to eliminate the decayed section of your tooth.
In this step, the dentist carefully removes all bacteria and debris to prepare the tooth for filling material. During the procedure, you will experience pressure and vibration without pain.
3. Placing the Filling: Now, the dentist will use the selected filling material (composite resin, amalgam, gold, or ceramic) to fill the prepared cavity.
During tooth-colored filling application, dental professionals place the material in multiple layers, which are then hardened individually through the use of a special curing light.
4. Finishing and Polishing: The final steps involve your dentist forming the filling to match your bite pattern. This will be done before trimming any excess material and polishing the surface to achieve smooth and comfortable results. The filling operates correctly while feeling natural when you chew.
So these are some of the steps that your dentist will follow during the painless teeth-filling process. However, keep in mind that you may not experience pain during the treatment, but you can experience discomfort after the procedure, like sensitivity.
Post-Filling Sensitivity: What to Expect?
Following your filling procedure, you will likely experience normal sensitivity as your tooth adapts to its new restoration. Here’s what you can expect:
- Patients with metal fillings may encounter temporary temperature sensitivity to hot and cold because metals conduct heat more efficiently than other materials.
- One may experience mild discomfort when biting down or chewing if the filling has been placed thicker than normal, which affects how the teeth come together.
- Consuming sweet foods or drinks may produce quick, strong sensations.
- Patients may also observe tenderness in the gum tissue near the restored tooth.
So, if you are experiencing these, don’t worry because the sensitivity will settle down as your tooth becomes accustomed to its new condition. It may take one to two weeks for the tooth to be comfortable.
Additionally, your teeth may become more comfortable during this adjustment period if you avoid extreme-temperature foods and drinks.
Also, take more precautions, like chewing on the opposite side of your mouth, and use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.
If sensitivity continues past two weeks or intensifies until it turns into severe throbbing pain, it becomes worrisome. Possible problems with the filling placement, allergic reactions to filling materials, or deeper decay reaching the nerve may cause these symptoms.
In this situation, you should immediately contact your dentist and follow a few tips.
Tips to Reduce Discomfort After Filling
To ensure proper healing after your filling procedure and reduce discomfort, follow these recommended strategies:
1. Avoid Hard Foods: Consume only soft foods during the first 24 to 48 hours post-filling to protect the tooth.
Steer clear of chewy, sticky, or crunchy foods which could damage the new filling by applying pressure to it. Also, gradually reintroduce harder foods as comfort improves.
2. Using Desensitizing Toothpaste: Toothpaste with potassium nitrate or strontium chloride helps to lessen nerve sensitivity.
For best results, apply a small amount of desensitizing paste directly to the sensitive tooth using your fingertip before going to sleep or incorporate it into your regular brushing routine.
3. Following Post-Treatment Instructions: Following your dentist's precise aftercare instructions is essential to ensure successful healing.
The recommended actions after getting a composite filling include avoiding extreme temperatures in food and chewing on the opposite side until the filling sets completely, which may take several hours.
So, these were some tips that you must follow to relieve the discomfort after the teeth filling. However, if somehow the discomfort still persists even after following these tips, then contact me in a hurry and get in touch with a top dental clinic in Patna.
Best Dental Clinic in Patna for Teeth Filling
Dr. Sachin’s Dental Clinic is the best place in Patna to get treatments like teeth filling. We are known in the town for providing safe and effective dental treatment at affordable prices.
Regional folks love to visit us because of our patient-centric approach. We provide every patient with a personalized treatment that is tailored to their specific needs.
Additionally, Dr. Sachin’s Dental is well-equipped with the latest dental tools and technologies that help in providing precise treatments that have a high success rate.
Not only that, our clinic is also easily accessible as it is situated in the prime location of Patna - Bailey Road.
So, if you wish to book an appointment at the best dental clinic in Bailey Road, then visit our clinic or simply click the “book appointment” button to get a call from us.
Conclusion
Does a tooth filling hurt? Well, after coming this far in the blog, we can surely say that there's no need to be scared of dental fillings.
This is because dentists make sure you feel no pain during the treatment, with the help of numbing creams and anesthesia injections.
However, a patient can have little discomfort, like sensitivity, after the treatment. But, there's no need to worry because it will go away after some time.
However, keep in mind that if the sensitivity persists even after using the following post-treatment care tips, it’s something to worry about.
In this condition, hurry and get in touch with the best dental clinic in Patna - Dr. Sachin’s Dental. We will give you the needed dental care to rid you of the discomfort.
