Expert: Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD - 11/3/2008

Question
Two weeks ago I had 2 small fillings on right lower back teeth replaced.  My dentist said that they were not particularly deep.  Ever since the fillings were replaced I have been having an aching pain on the right side of my jaw.  The pain seems to be beneath those teeth where the work was done, as well as in the hinge of the jaw and even on the top of the jaw on the right side.  Sometimes I feel the pain all the way back to my ear, and forward to the middle of my bottom teeth, but it never hurts on the left side of my jaw, only the right.  It is a dull pain that I can manage when I take Advil consistently, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better.  I went back to the dentist and he checked my bite and told me to wait longer to see if the pain dissipates.  I'm wondering what this could be and how long I should wait before going back and/or getting another opinion.

Answer
Hi Kathy,

I am sorry to hear about this.

It can be a number of different things;

- First off, when you clench your teeth together with no food in your mouth, do the teeth hurt? If so, then the bite should be checked again.

- Did you get tooth colored fillings? Sometimes, they cause more sensitivity and take longer to recuperate from than silver fillings.

- Sometimes, even if the filling wasn't deep, the nerve can still be irritated. In that case, further treatment will be needed.

I'd wait another week and see how it goes. If you still have pain, I would return to have the fillings removed and medicine placed inside the teeth.

I hope you feel better soon!