Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 10/12/2006

Question
Yesterday I had two cavities filled on the lower left side of my mouth. The doctor took out the silver fillings, removed decay, and replaced with the white filings. My mouth was numb for about 2 hours after the procedure was over, and then the left side of my throat and my left ear started hurting (like when I have a throat infection).  It did not hurt at all before the dental appointment. I have had fillings before, and never had pain like this in the past.I've been taking ibuprofen every four hours for almost 24 hours.

Is this a common symptom that should go away or should I go to my primary doctor to be examined?  

Answer
Dear Dee,

This is not a common symptom, although its onset immediately after the procedure suggests that the two are causally related. I am not sure what might be going on-- perhaps some minor soft tissue injury from either the manipulation of the tissues or the anesthetic injection.

I would recommend that you wait two or three days to see if the symptoms resolve on their own, unless the pain is severe. If the pain does not go away, you're probably better off going back to your dentist rather than your physician, since the history of this incident suggests that your problem falls more accurately within the dental rather than the medical category.

Good luck!

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY