Post-Operative Fillings Instructions

What to Expect After Treatment

Your tooth has been restored with a tooth-colored composite material. Composite restorations are strong and durable and are designed to restore the function and appearance of your tooth. Like natural teeth, restorations can chip, wear, or break over time.

Eating & Numbness

• Composite fillings harden immediately, so there is no required waiting period before eating.
• If local anesthetic was used, your lips, tongue, cheek, and teeth may remain numb for several hours.
• Until the numbness has completely worn off:
  • Avoid chewing.
  • Avoid very hot foods or beverages.
  • Be careful not to bite your lip, cheek, or tongue.

Sensitivity

Some sensitivity following a filling is normal.

• You may experience sensitivity to:
  • Cold.
  • Heat.
  • Sweets.
  • Biting or pressure.
• Sensitivity may last for several days or weeks.
• Sensitivity may be more noticeable if the cavity was deep or close to the nerve.
• Symptoms should gradually improve over time.

Contact our office if sensitivity:

• Becomes severe or progressively worsens.
• Occurs spontaneously without eating or drinking.
• Wakes you at night.
• Is not gradually improving.

Gum & Injection Site Discomfort

• The gum tissue around the restored tooth may feel sore or irritated.
• The anesthetic injection site may also be tender.
• Mild tenderness for a few days is generally normal.
• Discomfort should gradually resolve on its own.

Bite & Feel of the Restoration

Your restored tooth may initially feel slightly different from your other teeth.

• Small differences in shape or texture may be especially noticeable to your tongue.
• Your bite should feel comfortable when your teeth come together.
• Contact our office if:
  • The tooth feels noticeably “high.”
  • Your bite feels uneven.
  • You experience pain or significant discomfort when biting or chewing.

A simple bite adjustment may occasionally be needed.

IMPORTANT — DO NOT:

• DO NOT chew while your mouth is numb.
• DO NOT drink very hot beverages while numb.
• DO NOT intentionally bite or chew extremely hard objects such as ice or hard candy.
• DO NOT use your teeth to open packages, bottles, or other objects.
• DO NOT ignore persistent or worsening pain.
• DO NOT ignore a bite that feels noticeably high or uneven.

When to Call Our Office

Please contact our office if you experience:

• Persistent or worsening pain.
• Severe or spontaneous tooth pain.
• Sensitivity that is not gradually improving.
• Pain when biting or chewing.
• A bite that feels high or uneven.
• A restoration that feels loose, chipped, or broken.
• Any other concerns about your tooth or restoration.

© 2026 John E. Sullivan DDS, P.C.

This document is the property of John E. Sullivan DDS, P.C. and is intended for use within this practice only.