A deep dental filling is a restorative treatment placed where decay has reached the inner dentin layer, bringing the filling material close to the dental pulp. The dental pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels. Because of this proximity, sensitivity or discomfort following the procedure is common. This article provides a realistic timeline for when a deep filling should settle down.
Why Deep Fillings Cause Sensitivity
The discomfort experienced after a deep filling is a temporary inflammatory response from the dental pulp, which houses the tooth’s nerve. During the procedure, drilling out the decay and preparing the cavity generates heat and vibration. This mechanical and thermal irritation causes the pulp tissue to become inflamed.
This inflammation leads to two primary types of transient pain. The first is thermal sensitivity, a sharp, short-lived jolt of pain when the tooth is exposed to hot, cold, or sweet foods. The second is pressure sensitivity, often felt as discomfort when biting down or chewing. This is frequently due to a slight discrepancy in the filling’s height, which places uneven pressure on the tooth.
The temporary pain signals are the nerve’s reaction to the stress of the procedure and the new material placed near it. Since a deep filling means the protective dentin barrier is thin, nerve irritation is likely. This post-operative sensitivity is considered a normal part of the healing process.
The Standard Recovery Timeline
The most acute sensitivity typically occurs within the first 24 to 48 hours, immediately after the local anesthetic wears off. During this initial phase, the tooth is reacting to the procedure, and mild discomfort should begin to decrease gradually after this peak.
Thermal sensitivity to hot and cold is the most common complaint and generally resolves over two to four weeks. The nerve and surrounding dentin need this time to calm down and form a seal against the filling material. For very deep restorations, minor thermal sensitivity may linger intermittently for up to six to eight weeks.
Discomfort when biting or chewing is often an issue of bite alignment, even if the dentist adjusted the filling before you left. If the filling is too high, the constant force irritates the nerve. This specific biting sensitivity should resolve quickly, usually within one to two weeks, and often requires a simple follow-up visit for adjustment.
Identifying Complications and When to Seek Help
While some sensitivity is expected, certain symptoms indicate a complication requiring immediate dental attention. The most concerning sign is spontaneous, throbbing pain that occurs without any external stimulus. This type of pain may wake you up at night or persist even when you are not eating or drinking.
A normal recovery involves a steady improvement of symptoms, so pain that worsens over time is a significant warning sign. If the sensitivity or discomfort persists with no noticeable improvement past the four-to-six-week mark, it suggests the pulp may be struggling to recover.
Other symptoms that signal a problem include visible swelling in the gum tissue around the filled tooth or any sign of drainage. Persistent pain when biting, even after the filling’s height has been adjusted, may indicate a tooth fracture or irreversible inflammation of the pulp. In these cases, the nerve may be permanently damaged, and further treatment like a root canal may be necessary.