Can I Go Back to Work After a Filling?: What to Expect Before, During and After

If you're booking a filling around work, you probably have more practical questions than dental ones.

Can I go straight back to the office afterwards? Will my mouth still be numb for my afternoon meeting? Can I eat lunch? Will my make-up be ruined? Will anyone be able to tell I've had dental work done?

For most routine fillings, there is no need to take the rest of the day off work. If you're planning an appointment before work, during your lunch break or between meetings, here's what you can realistically expect.

How long does a filling take?

This depends on the tooth, the size and position of the filling and whether more than one tooth is being treated.

Your dentist will normally be able to give you an idea of how long your appointment will take when your treatment is planned.

A filling generally involves numbing the area with local anaesthetic, removing the decayed or damaged part of the tooth, placing the filling material, shaping and polishing it, and checking that your bite feels comfortable before you leave.

Can I go straight back to work after a filling?

In most cases, yes.

If you've had a routine filling under local anaesthetic without sedation, you can normally return to your usual daily activities afterwards. The main thing to consider is that you may still be numb. Depending on where the filling is, your lip, cheek or tongue may also feel numb for a while.

You can work, but speaking and smiling can feel a little unusual until the anaesthetic has completely worn off. If you have an important presentation, client meeting or event immediately afterwards, it may be more comfortable to choose a different appointment time.

Will I look any different afterwards?

Usually, no.

A straightforward filling shouldn't noticeably change your appearance. If you've had a tooth-coloured composite filling, the material is chosen to blend with the natural tooth.

You shouldn't normally have visible facial swelling following a routine filling. The most noticeable difference is likely to be how your face feels rather than how it looks. A numb lip or cheek can make smiling and speaking feel slightly strange until the local anaesthetic wears off.

What about my make-up?

If you're having your filling during the working day, you shouldn't need to arrive without make-up or plan to redo your entire face afterwards.

At D4 Dentist, we use a rubber dam during this type of restorative treatment. A rubber dam is a thin sheet placed around the tooth or teeth being treated. It isolates the area from the rest of your mouth and helps us keep the tooth clean and dry while we work.

It also means that most of your face is not involved in the treatment.

Your make-up should remain largely intact. You may need to touch up lipstick, lip liner or make-up immediately around your mouth once treatment is finished.

If you're heading straight back to work, you can make any small touch-ups needed in our facilities before you leave.

Why do we use a rubber dam?

Keeping the tooth dry is particularly important when placing bonded restorative materials.

Saliva can interfere with the bonding process, so the rubber dam allows us to isolate the tooth and maintain a clean, dry working area.

It also creates a barrier between the tooth we're treating and the rest of your mouth.

You may not have experienced a rubber dam at every dental practice, but it is a well-established technique used in restorative dentistry.

Can I eat lunch afterwards?

You can usually eat after a routine filling, but it is generally sensible to wait until the numbness has worn off.

The concern isn't necessarily the filling. When your cheek, lip or tongue is numb, it's surprisingly easy to bite it without realising.

If your appointment falls around lunchtime, it may be easier to eat before you come in or wait until normal sensation has returned.

Can I have coffee afterwards?

You don't necessarily have to miss your coffee.

The main consideration while you're still numb is temperature. If you cannot properly feel your lip or the inside of your mouth, be careful with very hot drinks.

The treated tooth may also be temporarily more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures after a filling.

Will my tooth hurt afterwards?

A little sensitivity following a filling can be normal.

The tooth may feel slightly different when you bite or it may be more sensitive to temperature for a period afterwards. Mild tenderness around the area that has been treated can also occur.

What we don't want is significant pain that persists or becomes progressively worse. If the tooth is particularly painful when you bite, the filling may need to be checked to make sure your bite is correct. Persistent throbbing pain, significant swelling or severe pain should also be assessed rather than simply waited out.

Can I exercise after work?

After a straightforward filling under local anaesthetic, most people can return to their normal routine.

If you've had sedation, more extensive dental treatment or have been given specific instructions by your dentist, the advice may be different.

What if I'm pregnant?

Always tell your dentist if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Being pregnant doesn't automatically mean that necessary dental treatment needs to be postponed. Restorative dental treatment, including fillings, can be carried out during pregnancy when required, and local anaesthetics commonly used in dentistry can be used when clinically appropriate.

Your dentist should know about your pregnancy, medical history and any medications you are taking before treatment so your care can be planned appropriately.

What if I'm breastfeeding?

Tell your dentist that you are breastfeeding and let us know about any medication you're currently taking.

Breastfeeding doesn't mean you should avoid necessary dental treatment. If medication is required during or after your appointment, this can be taken into consideration when deciding what is appropriate for you.

Should I book my filling before work or afterwards?

For most routine fillings, this is more about convenience than recovery.

If you have a relatively normal working day, there is usually no reason why you can't have your filling and return to work afterwards.

If your job involves presentations, appearing on camera, speaking continuously or attending an important event, you may prefer an appointment later in the day. The filling itself shouldn't be particularly noticeable, but you may prefer not to have to think about a numb lip or cheek during an important meeting.

The short answer

A routine filling doesn't usually mean losing a day of work.

You can generally return to work afterwards, your appearance shouldn't noticeably change and normal activities can usually continue. For most people, the main inconvenience is simply waiting for the local anaesthetic to wear off.

If you're wearing make-up, most of it should remain intact during treatment. At D4 Dentist, the use of a rubber dam helps us isolate the tooth we're treating, and any small touch-up needed around your lips or mouth can be done before you head back to work.

If you're trying to fit necessary dental treatment into a busy working week, tell us when you're booking your appointment. We can help you understand what to expect from your particular treatment and choose an appointment time that works around your day.

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