If you recently needed a filling, you might have experienced a fair amount of pain prior to the procedure. However, if your discomfort has not diminished within about a day, especially if the pain manifests as you are chewing or upon the introduction of hot or cold drinks, you might have a high filling. A high filling occurs when too much of the filling material is left in your tooth, which can be agonizing. Therefore, if you are unsure as to the cause of your dental pain or if you are attempting to determine if you need to see your dentist again, it is a good idea to be aware of the following information.

Understanding A High Filling And Why It Is So Painful

A high filling is a minor oversight that can be caused as the result of the anesthesia from your dental work. Specifically, when your mouth is numb, it can be difficult to be sure that the filling is of the right size for the rest of your mouth. As a result, you might not notice any discomfort from the overly large amount of filling material that was left in the repaired tooth. That excess material permits the area to come into direct contact with the tooth immediately above or beyond it when chewing, thus resulting in discomfort.  

The pain you are experiencing is often worse if the tooth or immediate area comes into contact with a hot or cold food or beverage. In addition, you might notice that any time you bite down with the affected tooth, intense pain reverberates through the area. Until you can get the problem rectified, it will be quite helpful to consider drinking room temperature drink through a straw on the other side of your mouth and to eat primarily soft foods. 

Treating The High Filling

Fortunately, it is often possible for your dentist to correct the high filling in just a few minutes. Your dentist will perform a quick examination of the tooth, and upon confirming that the issue is a high filling, they can quickly file it down to a smoother and smaller surface.

Keep in mind that the extra trauma of filing down the tooth can contribute to a longer healing time than originally expected. If your pain continues for more than 14 days, it's best to speak with your dentist again, as the pain might be due to another problem.    

In conclusion, a high filling is a minor problem that can result in significant pain. Therefore, if your pain after a filling is lingering a day or longer after you got a new filling, you need to know the facts shared above.