Why does my tooth hurt after a composite filling?

The likelihood is that the filling needs to be shaved down a little and you should start feeling relief. If this does not help then there may be a void in the filling which means that the filling needs to be redone.

It is not uncommon to see a small composite filling uncomfortable after being placed.  The bite could be slightly off, the filling may have been contaminated.  It normally does not self correct.  Go back to the dentist and have it looked at.

There are many factors to tooth pain after a filling.  Return to the dentist to be sure the filling isn't too tall, or biting forces can damage the nerve or the supporting tissues around the tooth.  Bite issues can linger, even after a meal is long forgotten.  This pain will usually NOT self correct.