If you’ve recently gotten dental fillings, a minor restorative dental procedure used to remedy cavities, then there are a few things you can do to ensure a quick recovery. Carefully adhere to the following instructions to ensure your teeth, tongue, and gums remain in good condition following your procedure.
After an anesthetic has been used, you will likely experience numbness of the lips and tongue for several hours after your procedure. We recommend that you avoid chewing or consuming hot beverages until the numbness has subsided. Otherwise, you may be at risk of inadvertently biting your tongue or burning your mouth. It should be noted that children are particularly prone to injury after anesthetics, as they tend to chew on the inside of their cheeks, lips, and tongue. Therefore, they should be observed in the first few hours after their procedure. You should expect the numbness from your anesthetic to wear off around 1-3 hours after your procedure.
Following your procedure, it is completely normal to experience sensitivity to heat, cold, and pressure temporarily. You may also experience soreness or tenderness at the site of the injection used to administer your anesthetic, as well as some irritation of the gums. Over-the-counter pain medications such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or aspirin can be taken as directed (one to two tablets every 4-6 hours as needed) until the pain subsides. Typically, dental sensitivity to extreme temperatures and pressure subsides after a few days. However, if this sensitivity does not subside after a couple of days or if it worsens, be certain to contact Blue Island Smiles.
While you don’t necessarily need to change your diet after receiving fillings, we do recommend that you avoid hot foods and beverages while you’re still experiencing numbness from the anesthetic. We also suggest that you avoid chewing entirely during these first few hours. Otherwise, you may be at risk for unknowingly burning or harming your cheeks, tongue, and lips. If you get silver fillings, we recommend that you do not chew crunchy or hard foods or chew directly on your new restoration for the first 24 hours. Composite fillings, on the other hand, can be chewed on immediately after the anesthetic has worn off.
In some cases, you may experience an uneven bite after the anesthetic has worn away. If you feel that one side of your mouth is hitting first when you bite down, be certain to call Blue Island Smiles right away. An uneven bite could cause further discomfort or damage down the road and should be addressed immediately.
Do you have any questions about your recovery after receiving dental fillings? We’re happy to help! Contact Blue Island Smiles today to speak with someone in our office or schedule a follow-up appointment.
If the pleasure of eating a delicious bowl of ice cream or sipping a soothing cup of tea gets overshadowed by dental pain that makes you wince; it's time to contact our office. As skilled providers of care, we'll determine what's causing your discomfort and perform the treatment required to alleviate your symptoms and get you back on the road to oral health.
Cavities develop because of an infectious process that causes progressive damage to tooth structure. Despite starting as a pinpoint defect on the outermost enamel layer of your tooth, untreated dental decay progressively compromises more and more healthy tooth structure as it works its way to the inner layers of your tooth.
Yes, you can still develop tooth decay on other surfaces of the tooth, around the margins of an old filling, or in fewer instances, recurrent decay underneath it. For this reason, it's essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene, a diet low in sugary beverages and sweets, and be sure to visit our office for routine checkups and care. While tooth decay is second only to the common cold in frequency, it's almost entirely preventable.
We value the time and comfort of our patients. If cavities are located on adjacent teeth, or in the same section of your smile, it may be possible to treat more than one tooth during your visit. However, how much is done each visit depends on several factors. We keep our patients well informed and tailor every treatment plan and visit to address their unique needs.
Addressing concerns on the presence of elemental mercury in silver fillings, the American Dental Association (ADA), The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA, and the World Health Organization have all stated that amalgam restorations do not pose a risk to health. However, individuals with allergies or sensitivities to the metals in dental amalgam are advised to pursue other restorative options.
Dental fillings are performed under local anesthesia to help ensure your comfort throughout the entire procedure. The involved tooth remains completely numb for the extent of your visit. Within one or two hours after the procedure is completed, the local anesthetic will gradually wear off, and normal sensations return.
A tooth-colored composite filling is fully hardened and set by the end of your visit. However, we may advise you to wait a couple of hours until the local anesthesia has completely worn off. This advice is to help ensure you don't accidentally bite your lip, cheek, or tongue while still numb.
The lifetime of a dental filling varies depending on the type of material used. While popular dental materials can last a decade or more with proper care, they can degrade over time, wear down, or even break. When this happens, you may experience some tooth sensitivity, a jagged edge, or a loose or dislodged piece of filling material. Whatever the case may be, it's essential to get the filling replaced before the tooth sustains further damage or other consequences arise. Beyond taking good care of your smile to help ensure the longevity of your fillings, our office regularly checks the status of your existing fillings as part of a routine checkup exam.
Dental fillings are an essential investment that serves to preserve and protect the health of your smile. With that said, how much a filling costs depends on the number of surfaces of the tooth involved and the filling material that is used. Amalgam restorations are the most economical. While tooth-colored composite fillings have a slightly higher cost, they offer the added benefits of being metal-free and much more aesthetically pleasing. Ceramic fillings, inlays, and onlays are more expensive than the preceding options but provide outstanding, long-lasting, and natural-looking results.
Dental insurances typically cover the cost of dental fillings. While we work with you to maximize your insurance benefits, there may still be an out-of-pocket expense. At the office of Blue Island Smiles, we strive to help you begin care without any additional financial stress or delay.
Address:
12059 Western Avenue, Blue Island, IL 60406