Why Does My Tooth Hurt After a Crown or Filling?

Is it normal for a tooth to hurt after a filling or crown?

Yes, mild soreness and sensitivity are common. Cleveland Clinic says it is normal to have minor tooth sensitivity and gum soreness after a filling, and that these effects should fade in a week or two. For a crown, the same clinic says it is normal to have some sensitivity, but you should not have pain that keeps you up at night.

Dental work changes the tooth in small ways. The dentist may remove decay, shape the tooth, and place new material. The tooth and the gum around it can need time to settle. Read more about each treatment on our pages for dental fillings and dental crowns.

What are the common reasons for pain?

Several causes are common. Some are minor, and some need a visit.

Cleveland Clinic lists the last three on its filling page as problems that may need more treatment. Do not try to diagnose which one you have. Your dentist can test the tooth, check your bite, and take an X-ray.

Why do teeth react to heat and cold?

Under the hard outer layer of enamel is a softer layer called dentin. MouthHealthy explains that dentin has tiny channels. When dentin is exposed, heat, cold, and sweet or sticky foods can reach the nerves inside the tooth. After dental work, the tooth may be more reactive for a while.

The ADA says sensitive teeth can be treated, and that the type of treatment depends on the cause. Your dentist may suggest a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, a fluoride gel applied in the office, or other care. MouthHealthy says that toothpaste for sensitive teeth usually needs several applications before the sensitivity is reduced, so give it a few days of steady use.

Could the pain come from somewhere else?

Yes. The sore tooth may not be the one that was treated, or the new work may not be the cause. MouthHealthy lists several reasons a tooth can be sensitive: tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel, and an exposed tooth root. This is why your dentist will want to look at the whole area and not only the new filling or crown.

If you have more than one sore tooth, or the pain spreads, tell the office when you call. That detail helps the team decide how soon to see you.

What if it hurts only when I bite?

Biting pain often points to the bite itself. Cleveland Clinic says pain when biting down can occur if a new filling interferes with your bite, and the dentist can fix it by reshaping the filling. A crown may need the same kind of check.

You can test this at home in a simple way. Notice whether the pain only shows up when you close your teeth together. Then tell the office what you felt. Do not file down a filling or crown yourself, and do not keep chewing on that side for weeks. A short adjustment visit is often all it takes.

When is it more than normal sensitivity?

Call your dentist right away for any of these, which Cleveland Clinic lists for fillings:

• Severe pain that does not go away with medication
• A swollen face or jaw
• Fever, chills, or other signs of infection
• A filling that breaks

A throbbing toothache is also a reason to call. Cleveland Clinic says it could mean decay reached the pulp, and root canal therapy may be needed.

Some signs need emergency medical care. Cleveland Clinic lists trouble breathing or swallowing, and facial swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck, as reasons to get emergency care. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if that happens. Our dental emergency guide explains more.

Can sensitivity be treated?

Often, yes. MouthHealthy says sensitive teeth can be treated, and the type of treatment depends on the cause. Your dentist may suggest a toothpaste for sensitive teeth or a fluoride gel in the office. A crown, inlay, or bonding may correct a flaw or decay behind the sensitivity. A gum graft may protect a root where gum has been lost. If sensitivity is severe, lasts, and other care has not worked, MouthHealthy says a dentist may suggest a root canal.

What can you do at home while you wait?

A few steps can ease sensitivity until you are seen.

1. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs. Cleveland Clinic names acetaminophen and ibuprofen as options.
2. Wait for the numbness to fade before you chew, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue.
3. Brush gently around the tooth and keep cleaning it.
4. Write down when the pain happens and what sets it off. This helps your dentist.

For more on causes and relief, read our guide to sensitive teeth. If your pain started right after a crown, our post on whether crowns hurt covers what to expect at each stage.

Next step

If your tooth still hurts after a week or two, or you have any warning sign above, call Town Center Dental at (636) 273-5866 or request an appointment. Our dentists can examine the tooth and talk with you about what they find.