Why does it hurt for a week after I get a filling done?

Every time I get a filling, my dentist has to give me 5 shots to numb the area and then it usually hurts for a week or more after. What could be the problem?

The information provided by medical professionals in the Q&A is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified health care provider.

Answers

Dr. Benjamin L. Young, DDS

Answered By: Dr. Benjamin L. Young, DDS

There's a range of possibilities. If you needed five injections, it could be a minor hematoma (swelling) or just lingering pain from the injection site. Aside from that, depending on how big or deep the filling was, it could just be your tooth healing as well.

Dental Arts & Wellness

Answered By: Dental Arts & Wellness

I am very sorry to hear about your experience: It sounds painful every time. While it is not common to need 5 shots for one area I, too, have treated several patients like you. Some patients may have high metabolic ability to break down the anesthetics very fast. Other times, patients have nerves higher or lower than usual location, needing more anesthetics to reach those nerves to get numb (this is more common for lower teeth).
Teeth may hurt for an extended period, either because of multiple injection or your teeth/body's tendency to get more exaggerated inflammation after care.
Knowing your unfortunate tendency to have (1) difficulty getting numb and (2) post-treatment dental pain, your dentist may be able to give your teeth a little "special care" such as using sharper burs (drills), more water, lighter pressure, longer wait after anesthetics, etc. These are not necessarily "better" techniques, but may help your teeth to react less after treatment.
Taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine or similar-type prescription medicine may be ordered by your dentist, if appropriate. Discuss your special pain condition with your dentist, so that any special care can be added forand duringyour dental care.

Oak Park Dental Associates

Answered By: Oak Park Dental Associates

The tooth "nerve" itself may be "hurting" due to the trauma from the procedure. This may take up to a couple of weeks to settle down or it may not settle down. Otherwise, it may be from bite trauma due to changes in bite when new fillings are placed. This sometimes go away. Other times, it may get worse. Another possibility would be that the hurting may actually come from the injection site where five shots were administered. This may be the most likely possibility because you seem to be consistently getting the same issue. Muscles unhappy due to multiple injections. I hope this helps.

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