Many patients undergoing dental treatment often ask: Which is more painful: tooth extraction or filling? Both procedures are common in dentistry but vary significantly regarding pain, recovery, and long-term effects. Some people fear the idea of a tooth extraction procedure, imagining severe pain and bleeding, while others worry about the discomfort of dental fillings, especially if they’ve experienced a painful cavity before.
This article will compare tooth extraction and dental fillings to help you understand the pain levels, recovery process, and ways to minimise discomfort. Whether you’re dealing with tooth decay, tooth pain, or a decayed tooth, we’ll break down everything you need to know about these two dental procedures.
Understanding Tooth Fillings Pain: What Happens During a Filling Procedure?
A tooth filling is a frequently performed dental procedure aims at restoring a decayed or damaged natural tooth, helping to prevent further deterioration. The process typically involves the following steps:
- Administering Anaesthesia: A local anaesthetic is applied to the affected area to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
- Eliminating Decay: The dentist precisely eliminates the decayed section of the tooth using a drill or laser, ensuring the damage does not progress further.
- Restoring the Tooth: The treated area is filled with a strong material such as composite resin, porcelain, or amalgam to rebuild the tooth’s structure.
- Smoothing and Polishing: The filling is carefully shaped and polished to blend naturally with the tooth and provide a smooth, comfortable bite.
Do Fillings Hurt?
Most patients report minimal pain during filling because the local anaesthetic ensures the affected area is numb. However, you may feel pressure as the dentist removes the decayed parts of the tooth. Some patients with a low pain tolerance may experience slight discomfort, but a dental filling is generally not considered painful.
After the procedure, you may experience mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods, which typically fade within a few hours. In rare instances, if the tooth’s nerve is affected, the discomfort may persist a bit longer. However, compared to more invasive dental procedures, any pain or sensitivity is generally minimal and short-lived.
How to Reduce Pain After a Filling
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Your tooth may be sensitive for a few hours after the procedure.
- Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods: Especially if you’ve had a composite resin filling, as it can take time to fully set.
- Use a Soft Toothbrush: This prevents irritation around the gum line.
Tooth Extraction vs. Filling: Which Hurts More?
Many patients worry about tooth extraction being significantly more painful than a filling procedure. While both treatments involve local anaesthesia to minimise pain during the procedure, the level of discomfort experienced afterwards differs greatly.
Pain During the Procedure
Both tooth extraction and fillings are performed under local anaesthesia, which numbs the affected area, preventing pain. However, while a filling procedure is relatively quick and straightforward, tooth extraction is more complex, especially if the whole tooth is embedded deep within the gum line.
During a filling, a patient may feel mild pressure as the decayed portion of the tooth is removed and the cavity is filled with composite resin, porcelain, or amalgam. In contrast, during a tooth extraction procedure, patients often experience more pressure and pulling sensations, particularly if the tooth needs to be loosened before removal. However, there should be no significant pain due to local anaesthesia.
Pain After the Procedure
The biggest difference between the two procedures is the level of pain experienced post-treatment. After a filling, some patients may feel mild tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods for a few hours, but this discomfort is usually short-lived.
On the other hand, tooth extraction often results in more pain, especially once the anaesthesia wears off. Since the whole tooth is removed, the extraction site is left open, requiring time to heal. Patients may experience swelling, bleeding, and soreness for a longer period, particularly if the extraction is complicated, such as in the case of an impacted wisdom tooth.
Recovery and Healing
Most patients are able to resume their regular activities right after a filling with little to no downtime, as the procedure requires little to no recovery time. The only recommendation is to avoid eating hard foods for a few hours while the filling sets.
Recovery from a tooth extraction takes more time and care. Patients must be particularly mindful of preserving the blood clot that develops over the extraction site, as it is essential for healing. If the clot becomes dislodged, it often leads to a painful condition known as a dry socket. It is also necessary to avoid rinsing, chewy foods, and hard foods for a few days to allow the area to heal properly. Pain relief medications, cold compresses, and eating soft foods like mashed potatoes can help reduce pain and speed up recovery.
Minimising Pain: Tips for a Smooth Recovery
If you’ve had a painful tooth extraction, you can manage the discomfort with these steps:
- Take pain relief medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce pain and discomfort.
- Apply ice packs: Helps with swelling, especially after a wisdom tooth extraction.
- Eat soft foods: Stick to foods like mashed potatoes and soups for a few days.
- Avoid eating hard or chewy foods: This prevents irritation at the extraction site.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene: But be gentle around the healing area.
Long-Term Effects: What Happens After a Filling or Extraction?
Understanding the long-term consequences of tooth extraction versus dental fillings is crucial when making an informed decision about your dental care. Both procedures have their own effects on oral health, but preserving your natural teeth is usually the preferred option when possible.
The Benefits of Keeping Your Natural Teeth
Whenever possible, dentists aim to preserve natural teeth with dental fillings rather than extracting them. Keeping your natural tooth offers several advantages, including:
- Better Chewing Ability: Retaining your natural teeth ensures you can eat various foods without difficulty.
- Stronger Oral Health: A filled tooth remains structurally intact, helping maintain the alignment of surrounding teeth and minimising the risk of further dental issues.
- A Natural Appearance: Fillings, particularly those made from composite resin or porcelain, blend seamlessly with the rest of your teeth, preserving the aesthetic appeal of your smile.
Since fillings require minimal intervention, they allow you to maintain good oral hygiene without major lifestyle changes. With proper dental care, tooth fillings can last for many years, preventing further decay and protecting the tooth’s nerve.
When Is Tooth Extraction the Best Choice?
In some cases, tooth extraction is unavoidable, particularly when the tooth’s nerve is severely compromised, the tooth is extensively decayed, or the damage is beyond repair. Situations where extraction might be the best option include:
- Severe Infection: If the infection has spread deep into the tooth and surrounding gum tissue, an extraction may be mandatory to prevent further complications.
- Impacted or Problematic Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom tooth extraction is often necessary when the teeth become impacted, cause crowding, or lead to pain and discomfort.
- Fractured Teeth: A severely broken or cracked tooth that cannot be restored with a filling, crown, or root canal may need to be removed.
When a tooth is extracted, replacing it with a dental implant can restore both function and aesthetics. Dental implants are durable, long-lasting solutions that mimic the look and function of natural teeth, allowing you to chew and speak normally while maintaining your oral health.
Ultimately, while fillings are the preferred solution for saving natural teeth, extraction becomes necessary in cases where severe decay, infection, or structural damage makes restoration impossible. Consulting your dentist for personalised care will help determine the best course of action for your long-term dental health.
Final Thoughts: What’s Worse – Tooth Extraction or Filling?
So, which is more painful, tooth extraction or filling? While both procedures involve some level of discomfort, a painful tooth extraction typically causes more pain and takes a longer period to heal compared to a filling procedure. However, pain levels vary based on personal pain tolerance, factors like infection, and the complexity of the procedure.
If you’re worried about painful dental procedures, speak with your dentist about local anaesthesia and pain management options. No matter which dental care procedure you undergo, Schedule an appointment at Advanced Dental Care at (02) 6188 7103 for personalised care and proper post-treatment steps to ensure a minimal pain experience.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
- Healthline. (n.d.). Tooth extraction: Procedure, healing, and aftercare. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/tooth-extraction
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Local Anesthesia Techniques in Dentistry and Oral Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580480/
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Dental fillings: What to expect, types & potential problems. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17002-dental-fillings
