Practical
Does getting a filling hurt?
It shouldn't. We numb the area properly with local anaesthetic first, so you feel pressure but no pain. If anything sneaks through, lift a hand and we'll top up. Mild sensitivity afterwards soon settles.
What it actually feels like
The short answer is that it shouldn't hurt. Before we start, we numb the tooth and the area around it with local anaesthetic, so while you'll feel some pressure and movement, and hear the sounds of the work, the sharp pain people brace for simply isn't there. Most people are surprised, once it's done, at how much calmer it was than they'd feared.
You stay in control the whole way through. We'll agree a signal before we begin — lift a hand and we stop, no questions asked. If any sensation does sneak past the numbing, that's your cue: a quick top-up takes moments and you're comfortable again.
Afterwards, and if you're nervous
Once the numbness wears off, it's normal for the tooth or gum to feel a little tender or sensitive to hot and cold for a few days, occasionally a week or two. That settles on its own; if it sharpens or lingers longer, give us a ring. Because we work conservatively — keeping as much of your healthy tooth as we can — there's usually less to recover from in the first place.
If dental fear is what's really behind the question, you're in very good company and there's plenty we can do. Tell us you're anxious and we'll go at your pace, explain each step, and use every comfort measure we have. The dread is nearly always worse than the appointment itself.
Common questions
Will I feel the numbing injection?
Usually just a small pinch and a moment of pressure, often after we've numbed the surface first. It passes quickly, and once the area is asleep the filling itself is comfortable.
Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
A few days of tenderness or hot-and-cold sensitivity is normal as the tooth settles. It should ease steadily. If it sharpens, lingers beyond a couple of weeks or bites down wrong, let us know.