Tooth pain after deep filling. How long should it last?

[CaptainCallisto]

I cracked a tooth a couple of months ago (bloody un-popped piece of popcorn) and had to wait six weeks for an 'emergency' appointment to have it checked. I then had to wait a further three weeks for an appointment to have it filled. That was eight days ago.

The filling ended up being quite deep (dentist said probably because I had to wait so long with an open tooth) and there were clamps/bands needed to get the job done. The dentist told me that I may experience throbbing pain or sensitivity, but I'm not sure how long it's supposed to last.

After eight days, if I'm still getting the throbbing pain, should I be calling the dentist back? I had a look online and got several contradictory articles - some saying up to three weeks is perfectly normal, some saying anything after seven days is a problem. Getting hold of my dentist is an absolute nightmare at the moment, so if there are any knowledgeable people around, I'd be really grateful to know if you think I need to be trying now or waiting a few more days...

Impossible to say for sure but that doesn't sound great. Phone now so you're ahead of the game if things get worse. If they have an answer machine and you say you're in pain they should really be getting back to you pretty quickly.

Thank you. I think I'll call in the morning and just ask to be put on the triage list for a phone call. Sadly they don't have an answering machine, but hopefully I'll get through ok.

It could be an abscess, I would make an emergency appointment with them in the morning. The pain is unbearable if you let it go on too long without antibiotics.

My dentists said that anything over 2-3 days meant that it was likely to be too deep.and therefore it was knocking the nerve. I then had a choice of root canal or extraction

I had one very deep filling that hurt for months. I did get the dentist to re-check it and he said it was fine. It's now a few years since I had it done, and although it's fine now I still remember the ache.

I'm in the US and they're very quick to do root canals here given half a chance, so I was quite surprised he said to leave it, but he was right.

I also think it could be an abscess, had a very similar experience and first needed antibiotics and then root canal. Though I have to say the pain was excruciating initially, and not simply a throbbing pain.

Definitely get this checked out, pain at this stage may not be normal.

I've had an abscess before, and this feels like a different sort of pain; more a sort of dull ache, but throbbing. I suppose it could be the start of it though...

I'll definitely give them a call in the morning, though given that my original emergency appointment took six weeks I'm not holding out much hope of actually being seen!

That's interesting Lobster - he said this one was really deep. Fingers crossed mine settles without any more work. I absolutely can't afford a root canal (haven't been paid since May due to Covid) so it would have to be an extraction.