Tooth Sensitivity After Bonding?

It is not uncommon to have temporary sensitivity after any dental procedure.  General recommendation is to give it 2 weeks after the procedure to subside, but if it persists beyond to follow up with the doctor and make any necessary repairs or adjustments.  These may include an adjustment of the height or bulk of the composite bonding that may be prematurely colliding or rubbing with the opposing tooth.  Another possibility is hypersensitivity, which can be managed with various toothpastes.  Sensodyne toothpaste now has a paste called Rapid Relief, as well as Tom's of Maine has a Rapid Relief Paste which does not contain fluoride.  Another option is MI Paste.  Another alternative is to simply remove and replace that existing bonding, which may have been contaminated with moisture during the process which an interfere with proper , residual decay, or an opening/gap between the bonding and the tooth.    

Ocassionaly, I will get sensitivity after completing a patients care. First I ask my patients to return to my office and I check their bite and recure the bonding-sometimes you are so numb that once you are back to normal your bite can be off! Sometimes the patients have deep cavities and may need a root canal. Call your dentist and ask them what they do!

Years ago teeth were sensitive almost 100% of the time after placement of composite restorations (bonding) on back teeth. With newer materials this problem has been dramatically decreased. These materials are nevertheless extremely technique sensitive. However, even in spite of ideal placement teeth can occasionally still be sensitive. If the tooth is sensitive ONLY when biting on certain harder foods then the sensitivity will go away on its own in a few days, sometimes a few weeks and on rare occasions a few months. If the tooth is sensitive to cold you should have your dentist check to make sure the restoration is not "high" or that you are hitting prematurely on the new restoration. If you have lingering sensitivity to cold (you drink something cold and 30 seconds later the tooth still bothers you) or spontaneous sensitivity to cold you may have a tooth that will require further treatment.

Good luck!

Bonding is an extremely technique-sensitive procedure! If all steps are not followed EXACTLY, the result can be sensitivity for a while. Also, have your dentist check the "bite" on the bonded teeth. If the bonding is a little too high, it would also result in prolonged sensitivity.

Sensitivity after bonding can be due to a variety of causes.  When a patient voices such a concern, my first recommendation is to check the bite.  If the filling was placed such that it does not contact the opposing tooth at precisely the same instant as the surrounding teeth, it will become sensitive.  A simple one minute adjustment will fix the problem.  If the adjustment does not eliminate the sensitivity, then I suggest that the patient wait as long as several months for the tooth to calm down.  In the center of each tooth is a pulp that includes blood vessels.  Drilling the tooth can cause an irritation and inflammation in the pulp which recognize as a sensitive tooth.  If after a few months and the inflammation has not subsided, then I replace the filling.  Perhaps there is a micro gap along the side of the filling or an air bubble down deep in the filling.  If this does not eliminate the problem, the perhaps the pulp is infected and needs to be removed with what is called a "root canal procedure".  Before recommending a root canal procedure, I first eliminate all other possible causes for the sensitivity.

You don't say whether we are talking about a front teeth  vs back teeth or whether the teeth were prepped after decay was removed vs cosmteic bonding over an intact tooth so it is difficult to be sure in my response.  I would first consider that the bonded filling is too high and causing a biting interference leading to the sensitivity.  I would have the bite checked and adjusted as needed.  If the bite is OK, I would have the dentist take a film and diagnose the problem which could be many things.