Why Your Tooth Hurts After a Filling (and When You Need a Root Canal)

Dr Elyssa Yap explains why teeth may feel sore after a filling, outlining common causes such as muscle strain, bite imbalance and temporary sensitivity, while also highlighting when ongoing pain may indicate deeper nerve involvement.

About The Video

In this video, Dr Elyssa addresses a common concern many patients experience after having a dental filling. She explains why soreness does not always mean something has gone wrong and reassures viewers that most post-filling discomfort settles naturally within a short period of time.

She walks through the different reasons pain may occur, including jaw muscle fatigue, minor bite discrepancies and temporary sensitivity from exposed dentine. Dr Elyssa also explains when pain may signal deeper nerve damage and why timely assessment helps preserve the natural tooth and prevent further complications.

This video focuses on helping patients understand why discomfort can occur after a dental filling and how to distinguish normal healing from signs that need attention. Dr Elyssa explains that jaw muscles can feel sore after prolonged treatment, similar to muscle strain after exercise, and this usually resolves within days. She also highlights how even tiny bite changes can cause discomfort due to the sensitivity of teeth, which is often corrected with a simple adjustment.

Temporary sensitivity is also discussed, particularly when dentinal tubules are exposed during treatment. This typically improves as the tooth adapts. Dr Elyssa then explains deeper cavities, where bacteria may have been present for longer, increasing the risk of nerve irritation. Persistent pain, disrupted sleep or prolonged sensitivity may indicate nerve damage, where root canal treatment becomes necessary to remove infection and preserve the tooth.