It is best to refrain from eating for at least two hours or until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possible injury to your soft tissue. This will also allow the temporary restorative material to harden.

You will most likely feel soreness in the area as well as pressure when you bite down. For this reason, you should avoid hard and chewy foods. Do not eat on the treated side of your mouth for at least 24 hours. The soreness should decrease within a week.

If an antibiotic was prescribed for you make sure to take the entire dosage of antibiotic medication prescribed, as this will eliminate any remaining infection in the tooth.

Our dentist recommends you take something for pain-relief within one hour of leaving our office, to get the medication into your system before the anesthesia begins to subside. We recommend ibuprofen (Nuprin, Advil, Motrin) -800 mg (four tablets).

Whenever possible, try to chew on the opposite side from the tooth we have just treated, until you have a crown or onlay placed. Until that time, your tooth still is weakened and could fracture.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, please contact our dental office in Riverton, Utah:

  • Increased tenderness or swelling in the area surrounding the tooth
  • An adverse reaction to the medication
  • Loss of the temporary filling material
  • Tooth fracture