Once a tooth is extracted, you may need stitches and will experience a dull ache for a few days. You will also need to avoid certain foods which may irritate the extraction site. With a filling, there should be no discomfort and you will be able to eat your regular diet as soon as the numbing agent wears off.
If you're trying to choose between the two options and wondering “which is more painful, a tooth extraction or a filling,” removing a tooth results in a longer period of discomfort compared to a filling procedure.
However, there are some situations where saving your tooth would put your dental health and overall physical health at risk. Your dentist is most likely to recommend a tooth extraction if your tooth is: Severely decayed or infected. Seriously broken or injured below the gum line.
A root canal treatment has a general reputation for being a costlier and more painful procedure. In comparison, tooth extraction may appear to be the lesser of two evils. However, when given the option, a root canal treatment should always be the preferred choice as it serves to retain the natural tooth in the mouth.
The pain worsens once the anaesthetic wears off. Throbbing pain during the first 24 hours post-extraction is a sign that your body is healing. Headaches, pain around the temples, neck or jaw and a sore throat may result from swelling and should subside within 1-3 days.
Root canals are considered to be the most painful because they require removing the nerve tissue on a tooth's root. The removal of the nerve tissue is not only excruciatingly painful but also commonly leads to infection.
It is normal for pain to get worse over the next couple of days. Most discomfort is seen on day 2 and 3. Once you get home and the bleeding has stopped, you should eat (soft foods, pudding, etc.). After eating, start taking the Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen.
The extraction procedure is quick and easy, lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. But, the surgical extraction may last longer. The dentist will first isolate the tooth and use a local anesthetic to numb the area before pulling. Once the tooth is completely removed, they will clean up the area and stitch the gums.
An extraction handles the problem by removing the tooth, including the infected tissue and the nerve that was responsible for the pain. Root canal therapy is a more conservative treatment. During the procedure, a dentist removes the damaged tissue and the nerve from inside the tooth.
Exposed tooth pulp can become infected by bacteria very easily, and this bacteria can travel into your bloodstream. When oral bacteria travel into your bloodstream, it increases your chance of developing dangerous blood clots that can cause a stroke or heart attack.
On the other hand, molars are much larger and have multiple roots (lower molars have two roots while upper molars have three). This means that they will be more firmly planted into the socket. They are also found at the back of the mouth, where it is hard to access them and visualize their extraction.
You may need to have a tooth extracted if: Periodontal disease has badly infected the tooth. The tooth is badly damaged and cannot be restored by a filling or a crown. You are suffering from pain even after a filling, crown, or treatment for a root canal.
Facial Structure: The positioning of your teeth in your mouth may make it difficult for a dentist to perform the extraction without causing discomfort. Things like large sinuses, or limited jaw mobility necessitate an extraction by an oral surgeon.
The goal of getting a filling is to correct tooth decay or cavities and ease any discomfort they might cause.
Much of this fear stems from a lack of knowledge and what is unknown to the patient. Do cavity fillings hurt? Here's the short answer: No. Most fillings cause little to no discomfort during any part of the procedure.
An irritated nerve is not uncommon when a deep filling is placed. Irritated nerves can result in inflammation and can cause pain. Your enamel and cementum usually protect the nerve from exposure, but deep fillings can reach the nerve endings and cause uncomfortable, sharp sensations.
If you are not sedated, during the simple extraction you will still be provided with local anesthesia at the site of the surgery. You should not experience any pain, however it is common to feel pressure during the actual extraction. The only way to feel absolutely nothing…. you have to be sedated.
Tooth Sensitivity or Pain – As the nerves that lead to a dying tooth begin to die away, they may become extra sensitive, causing you a tooth ache or sensitivity to hot or cold foods. You may experience pain while chewing at or around the site of the dead tooth.
After tooth extraction surgery, it's common to feel throbbing in the extraction area (known as the 'socket') as well as sensitivity. This is perfectly normal, and your dentist will likely prescribe some pain relief to help you minimise discomfort.
While some people may feel comfortable with no anesthesia, others prefer to take advantage of sedation options that can help them relax and feel less pain during their procedure. Your dentist can use many different types of sedation for tooth extraction.
Under the proper conditions, a qualified dentist should be able to loosen and pull your tooth within a minute without causing significant irritation to the socket. A fractured tooth might be a lot harder to remove and typically requires more time to avoid causing further injuries.
Many of the front teeth are round, so they can be removed without damaging bone quite easily. However most of your back teeth have two or three roots and cannot just be “pulled out” without breaking something.
Pain After Tooth Extraction
If you can take ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®), take 400–600 mg every 6–8 hours or as prescribed by your doctor. Ibuprofen will help with pain relief and as an anti-inflammatory. If you cannot take ibuprofen, then 1–2 tablets of regular Tylenol® should be taken every 4 hours.
Getting a tooth extraction can often involve some pain once the anaesthetic wears off. While the healing process can vary slightly depending on a few factors, the majority of it takes place within seven to ten days. Most people find that pain decreases after three days.
Teeth with long or curved roots
It is generally harder to remove a tooth with multiple roots such as molars, especially if they have curved, crooked or hook-like roots.