Tooth-Colored Fillings Post-Op: What Happens After?
What to expect for fillings?
You either are curious or just completed fillings at the dental office! You will be numb/anesthetized for a designated amount of time. The time it takes to metabolize out of your system depends on the amount given and one’s own metabolism rate. Expect to leave the dental office number for about an hour more. During that time please be careful of your inner cheek, your lip, and also your tongue. It’s recommended to avoid eating/chewing during this time to prevent cheek, tongue, or lip biting and bruising.
It’s also recommended that you take some ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil - 600mg every 6 hours - for pain as need). This will help combat the potential pain than chase after the pain
Your new composite fillings are fully hardened before you even leave the office; however, it is wise to chew on the opposite side of the newly placed filling(s). Your gums may be sore for several days.
One of the most common problems following filling placement with anesthesia is an incorrect bite. It is normal to experience some hot, cold, and biting sensitivity for 3-4 days after your appointment. It should decrease each day after this period. If it doesn’t, please call our office. When anesthesia has been used, your lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. It is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb. It is recommended that you take some ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil, 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed) before the anesthetic completely wears off. This will help with any swelling or pain at the injection sites where the anesthetic was administered. If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please contact our office immediately to obtain help or advice.
Sensitivity is usually most noticeable the first 12-24 hours after the anesthetic wears off.
Sensitivity, especially to cold, is common for a few days following a dental filling. Usually, the deeper the cavity, the more sensitive the tooth maybe.
The gum tissue could have been irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days together with the anesthetic injection site.
The filling is fully set and ready to eat when you leave the office. Please be careful eating until the anesthetic wears off so you don’t bite your lips, cheeks, or tongue.
Children should be observed until the anesthetic wears off. Due to the strange feeling of the anesthetic, many children will chew the inside of their lips, cheeks, or tongue which can cause serious damage.
The finished restoration may be contoured slightly different and have a different texture than the original tooth. Your tongue usually magnifies this small difference, but you will become accustomed to this in a few days.
If after a week or two, your teeth feel they do not touch correctly please call the office. This problem can be solved with a quick adjustment to the filling.
Fillings do not last forever. Like a new set of tires, fillings can wear and break down. Proper brushing and flossing are recommended to help you retain your fillings Having your teeth cleaned every six months and an exam and x-rays every year will help prolong the life of your fillings.
When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.
It is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol, or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office at
You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off since they are fully set when you leave the office.
Once the feeling has returned, you may chew on your new filling as it is as hard as it is going to get.
Test your bite to see if it feels balanced all over – sliding your teeth back and forth, and forward and backward (just like in the office near the end of the appointment).
If it feels like you are touching your new filling first or you just can’t get all of your teeth together comfortably, call the office for advisement or an appointment.
It is common to experience sensitivity to hot and cold for a few weeks following a white filling restoration. The deeper the cavity is removed, the more sensitivity experienced.
It is recommended that you chew slowly and on the other side of your mouth if you experience sensitivity.
If it has not subsided within 10 – 14 days, OR it gradually gets worse, call the office for advisement or an appointment.
The gum tissue surrounding the filling and tooth, your jaw joint, as well as the area where the anesthetic was placed, can be irritated and sore for a few days. This is normal and will subside in 2 – 5 days.
If you are able to take ibuprofen, take two tablets every 6-8 hours for two days to alleviate the inflammation and reduce the soreness.
The finished restoration may be contoured a bit differently and have a different texture than what you were used to with your tooth. Your tongue will become accustomed to the new filling in a few days.
