Which Is More Painful a Tooth Extraction or Filling
Which is more painful a tooth extraction or filling? An extraction hurts more, but if you want to know the details, read this article to find out more.
Both tooth extractions and tooth fillings are unpleasant, even if you go to the most well-trusted, well-qualified dentist in your country. While these procedures have their place and can be crucial in resolving tooth pain, abscesses, overcrowding, and earaches, going in for an appointment can be daunting – but which is more painful a tooth extraction or filling?
If you go for your scheduled check-up and learn that you need a filling or extraction, you might start to worry, and we understand. However, it’s important to remember that these procedures are to help you, and putting them off or ignoring the issue will only make it worse.
How do You Know if You Will Need an Extraction or a Filling?
An extraction will only happen if there is nothing else you can do to save the tooth you are working with. In the UK, we are very careful with dental work, and want you to keep as many natural teeth as possible for your own sake. However, this is simply not always possible due to damage or other underlying conditions that mean it needs to be removed.
The only exception is with wisdom teeth, as these teeth can cause malocclusion and overcrowding in the mouth. It is common for these teeth to be removed as soon as possible before damage is done if the mouth does not look like it will be large enough to comfortably fit all the teeth.
Fillings are a great way to keep your natural teeth as long as possible, even if some damage has been done to them, such as tooth decay. When you get a filling, the decay will be removed and the hole is filled in, which will allow the tooth to function as normal.
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction vs a Filling
The most common teeth to be extracted are molars, which includes wisdom teeth, while canines and the upper and lower incisors are rarely removed. Fortunately, the process for getting a tooth removed is straightforward, with slightly more complex cases for wisdom teeth due to their position, shape, and size.
If you and a dentist have determined that you need a tooth removed, local anaesthesia will be applied to the affected area to numb it. Once the area is numbed, your dentist will widen the sockets, which will allow the tooth to be loosened, then carefully remove it.
In some cases, you may require one or two stitches to help the socket heal, but this is not usually necessary. During this process, you will hear what is going on and feel pressure, but you should not experience any kind of pain due to the local anaesthetic. If you do feel pain, you need to immediately tell your dentist.
If you need to get a filling, the decayed or damaged parts of the tooth will be removed, and the tooth will be cleaned. Then, the appropriate filling type will be chosen, and the filling will be put in the tooth. In some cases, the filling might need to be set with UV light or another method before the final touches are done, and the process is complete.
Over time, fillings are likely to fall out due to everyday use. So, when this happens, you will need to visit the dentist again to get a replacement. This is completely normal, so don’t let it worry you!
How Long Does an Extraction Take?
Depending on which tooth or teeth you need extracted, the process can take between 30 minutes to an hour. If you need a more complicated tooth removed, a surgical extraction will be necessary, and it might take longer.
While this might take longer than pulling out a tooth at home (safely), we still recommend going the professional route for dental and healthcare issues.
How Long Does a Filling Take?
Some fillings are quicker than others, but in general, you can expect it to take at least 20 minutes. Different types might take up to an hour, but with medical advancements, you probably won’t be sitting for more than 30 minutes for a single filling.
Which Is More Painful a Tooth Extraction or Filling
Tooth extractions hurt more than tooth fillings because the whole tooth is being removed, and the nerves beneath are going to be exposed for a time. Getting a tooth removed is more invasive than simply repairing a hole, and you will also likely be left with some discomfort for a week afterwards.
Not only that, but getting used to a missing tooth will take time to get used to, and there is a greater chance of accidentally brushing the extracted area. This can result in pain and discomfort for a longer period of time, and also the accidental removal of the blood clot that stops the bleeding.
Managing the Pain of a Tooth Extraction
Because your mouth heals fast, you will be able to get back to enjoying your favourites in no time. However, you need to remember to practise good oral hygiene in order to avoid any painful trips to the dentist in the future.
If you can’t manage the pain without medication, you can take Ibuprofen, but remember to follow the guidelines and never take more than six tablets a day (and eight tablets if you are taking Paracetamol).
After an extraction, your socket should heal within a week, and the hole left behind will not be filled unless you have organised a dental implant. Within a few hours, a blood clot will form over the socket after the extraction, and there is a very small chance of infection. However, you can help your mouth heal even faster after the procedure by resting, hydrating, and not messing with the wound.
Dos and Don’ts After a Tooth Extraction
So, what are the dos and don’ts that you need to be aware of after a tooth extraction? There are some limitations on what you can eat and drink, and also some time to wait before you should drink or eat. We advise you to wait a few days before drinking tea, coffee, or alcohol to keep your mouth clean, and you can enjoy your favourite bread as long as it’s soft.
In general, you should avoid eating and drinking:
- Very hot foods/drinks
- Hard foods
- Crumbly foods
- Acidic foods
- Chewy foods
- Spicy foods
- Sugary drinks
- Alcoholic beverages
A few good options for someone who has just had a tooth extraction include:
- Water
- Smoothies
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Scrambled eggs
- Noodles/pasta
After a tooth extraction, there are some long-term and short-term rules that you would benefit from following. For example, you should not use mouthwash for the first 24 hours, as alcohol will have a negative effect on the healing process. You should avoid smoking long term to help your oral hygiene, and follow the guidelines for eating and drinking.
In general, you should avoid eating for a few hours after your extraction, then opt for only water and soft foods for three days before starting to go back to your regular diet.
Visit Didsbury Dental Practice
If you need a tooth extracted, you can expect to pay £73.50 with the NHS, and anywhere from £120-£370 at private dentists. Here at Didsbury Dental Practice, we charge £280 and include 24/7 emergency care treatment if you need it.
Extractions and fillings can be daunting, but when you have professionals working on your teeth, you have nothing to worry about. At Didsbury Dental Practice, we have the option for you to see an emergency dentist if you ever need an emergency extraction or any other crucial dental care.
So, which is more painful a tooth extraction or filling? Neither procedure should hurt due to local anaesthesia, but a tooth extraction will result in more pain and discomfort afterwards than a filling. However, this will only last a week at most, and the mouth will heal quickly.
