# Painful new dental fillings **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212 "2008-09-05T17:22:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212/1 "2008-09-05T17:22:12Z")
I got two fillings side by side in my lower left molars a couple of days ago. It is still painful to chew on that side. Is this normal? I haven’t had a filling in so long, I can’t remember. Will this calm down in a few days? I was thinking of giving it a week, then calling the dentist. Anyone have any experience with this? ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212/2 "2008-09-05T18:22:18Z")
I’d say yes. I’ve had tons of dental work done over the years and it never feels exactly right for the next week. The bite feels off, sensitive to hot/cold, sensitive to biting, etc. Usually takes a week or so for everything to settle back to normal and adjust to the new fit. ---
**Author:** ![mmouse9799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mmouse9799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmouse9799)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212/3 "2008-09-05T18:56:03Z")
Yes, that’s totally normal. The last time I had fillings, my dentist told me that it _could_ feel that way (painful, awkward and/or sensitive) for up to _3_ weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212/4 "2008-09-05T21:16:54Z")
Thanks, guys. I feel better now. I was thinking I might need a root canal or something. I’ll give it some more time. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212/5 "2008-09-05T21:17:55Z")
> [@Ultraviolet](#): > > Thanks, guys. I feel better now. I was thinking I might need a root canal or something. I’ll give it some more time. What did you get them filled with (i.e., porcelain/plastic/metal)? ---
**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212/6 "2008-09-05T22:57:18Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > What did you get them filled with (i.e., porcelain/plastic/metal)? They are regular metal amalgam fillings (my dental insurance won’t spring for anything else). ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212/7 "2008-09-05T23:35:56Z")
My teeth never hurt before I got fillings. ---
**Author:** ![TNWPsycho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2008, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212/8 "2008-09-06T06:19:07Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > My teeth never hurt before I got fillings. Same with me, my teeth never hurt until i go to the dentist. In fact, last year my teeth felt great and when i went to the dentist he told me i had 8 cavities :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2008, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-new-dental-fillings/462212/9 "2008-09-06T15:52:10Z")
> [@Ultraviolet](#): > > They are regular metal amalgam fillings (my dental insurance won’t spring for anything else). Cosmetically that may be a drag but I was just going to suggest going the amalgam route even if you have options. I got two fillings at the same time – one gold, one porcelain – and the gold one felt great within a couple of days, the porcelain – eh, a bit twingey for months.