A high filling, also known as occlusal interference, occurs when the restorative material prevents the proper meeting of the upper and lower teeth. This slight elevation, often less than a millimeter, can cause immediate discomfort following a dental procedure. It is impossible and medically unsafe to correct a high filling at home using any non-professional method. Attempting to adjust the filling yourself risks permanent damage to your tooth and jaw alignment. The only safe and effective solution is to schedule a prompt adjustment with a dental professional.
Understanding What a High Filling Is
A high filling disrupts the balance of the bite, causing the filled tooth to bear disproportionate pressure when the jaw closes. Sensations include localized pain, a feeling of the bite being “off,” and sensitivity when biting down or chewing. This uneven pressure strains the periodontal ligament, the soft tissue anchoring the tooth to the jawbone, leading to inflammation and tenderness.
Patients often describe the feeling as though one tooth is hitting before all the others, creating an uncomfortable imbalance. If left uncorrected, the unnatural chewing patterns and constant pressure can radiate to surrounding structures. This may cause soreness in the jaw muscles or tension headaches. Symptoms usually become noticeable hours to days after the numbing agent wears off.
Why At-Home Intervention is Dangerous
Dental restorations, such as composite resin and amalgam, are designed for extreme durability to withstand heavy chewing forces. These substances are significantly harder than household tools, making any attempt to file or grind the filling ineffective and hazardous. Trying to alter them with an emery board or abrasive paper will likely damage the surrounding enamel before successfully wearing down the filling.
Attempting to forcefully correct the height risks creating micro-fractures in the filling or, more dangerously, in the surrounding natural tooth structure. Precise adjustment requires specialized tools, such as high-speed handpieces and very fine-grit burs, allowing for controlled, microscopic removal of the material. Without proper knowledge of occlusion and the correct instruments, a home intervention can easily lead to permanent tooth sensitivity, a cracked tooth, or irreversible damage to the overall bite alignment.
Immediate Comfort Measures
While waiting for your dental appointment, several safe, temporary measures can help manage the discomfort. Contact your dental office immediately to explain your symptoms and schedule the adjustment as soon as possible. In the meantime, avoid putting direct pressure on the affected tooth by chewing only on the opposite side of your mouth.
Switching to a diet of softer foods will help reduce the impact and stress on the painful tooth. For pain relief, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can help reduce the inflammation of the irritated periodontal ligament. Following the recommended dosage provides temporary relief until the underlying issue is resolved. Also, if the surrounding gum tissue feels irritated from the uneven bite, gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water a few times a day can soothe the area.
The Professional Correction Process
The process of adjusting a high filling is generally quick and painless, and it does not require local anesthesia since the procedure is confined to the filling material’s surface. The dentist begins by using articulating paper, a thin, carbon-coated paper that transfers color onto the points of contact between the upper and lower teeth.
By having you bite down and gently grind your teeth on this paper, the dentist can accurately identify the exact location of the premature, or “high,” spots that are interfering with the bite. The colored marks indicate where the material needs to be selectively reduced, a process known as selective grinding or occlusal equilibration.
Using a specialized, fine-tipped dental bur, the dentist carefully and incrementally removes the marked material. This process is repeated until the articulating paper shows an even distribution of contact marks across all chewing surfaces. The procedure concludes with a thorough polishing of the adjusted filling to ensure a smooth surface that harmonizes with your natural bite.