“Is it normal for a tooth filling to be sensitive?”

Fillings should not cause tooth pain. There are many reasons for pain after a filling is done. Most of the time the filling can be adjusted by your dentist which usually solves the problem. Its always best to go back to the dentist to check your filling and tooth as soon as possible.

Sometimes- yes. The deeper the decay was & the closer to the pulp/ nerve, the more likely there can be some sensitivity. In the deepest cavities dentists often place a base material to act as insulation against such sensitivity. In most cases, time usually takes care of it as the pulp of the tooth lays down more dentin inside the nerve chamber to further insulate the nerve. If it does not show improvement within a couple of weeks or if it gets worse- get it checked by your dentist. In rare cases, but occasionally, the nerve can be so damaged from the depth of the cavity that a root canal might be needed. Hopefully, that is not the case.

Good luck!
Ronh DDS

Yes…especially if it was a little deep or a composite resin was used to restore it because of the acid etching technique to bond it. Try to stay away from really hot and or really cold foods for a little while and use Sensodyne toothpaste around it and see if the sensitivity subsides in a few days! Sometimes it can take a few weeks. If it doesn’t go away then you should go back to the dentist because possibly a root canal would be needed.

It extremely normal to have sensitivity after a filling. It should go away after a few days up to 2-3 weeks. If it doesn’t, you may need to have it adjusted.

It is not unusual for a tooth to be a little sensitive after a filling for a week or so. If it lasts longer, you should contact your dentist.