Once our dentist and team have restored your teeth with tooth-colored materials, these restorations will serve you well for several years. The resin (plastic) material used contains small “filler” particles of glass-like material for strength and wear resistance. They contain the finest and most up-to-date materials available today. However, you should be aware of the following information about your new restorations:

– As with natural teeth, avoid chewing excessively hard foods on the filled teeth (hard candy, ice, raw carrots, etc.) because the resin material can break under extreme forces.

– Composite fillings set up hard right away. There is no waiting time to eat. 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.

– Sensitivity to heat and cold is common for a few weeks following a dental restoration. Usually, the deeper the cavity the more sensitive the tooth will be. If you feel your bite is not correctly balanced, please call and schedule an appointment for a simple adjustment.

– The gum tissue could have been irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days; the same may be the case with the anesthetic injection site.

– If you feel some discomfort you can lessen the symptoms by taking an anti-inflammatory drug such as Aspirin or Advil or an analgesic such as Tylenol. With Advil you can take four 200 mg tablets, four times a day for four days if needed

– The finished restoration may be contoured slightly different and have a different texture than your original tooth. Your tongue usually magnifies this small difference, but you will become accustomed to your new tooth in a few days.

Please feel free to contact our dental office in Riverton, Utah, with any questions.