An uneven sensation in your bite following a dental filling is common. This feeling, often described as the filled tooth feeling “high” or making premature contact, indicates a slight imbalance in how your upper and lower teeth meet after the new restoration. This occurrence is a routine part of dental care and is typically straightforward to resolve.
Reasons for an Uneven Bite
A primary reason for an uneven bite after a filling is the initial overfilling of the restoration material. Dentists strive for precise occlusion, but achieving perfect contact on the first attempt can be challenging due to factors like patient jaw positioning and the characteristics of the filling material itself. Even a minuscule amount of excess material can feel substantial.
Residual numbness from the local anesthetic also contributes to this sensation. During the initial bite check, the patient’s ability to accurately perceive high spots is diminished by the numbing effect. This temporary lack of sensation means the dentist cannot fully refine the bite until feeling returns, leading to a perceived unevenness once the anesthetic wears off.
Minor swelling around the treated tooth or gums can also temporarily alter the bite. This inflammation, a natural response to dental work, can subtly change the way teeth come together.
The brain requires a brief period to adapt to a new restoration, which can initially manifest as a feeling of imbalance. Some filling materials, particularly composite resins, can undergo slight shrinkage or settling after placement, contributing to a minor change in the bite over a short period.
Implications of an Uncorrected Bite
Leaving an uneven bite unaddressed can lead to uncomfortable consequences. This includes increased tooth sensitivity or persistent pain in the filled tooth or its opposing counterpart. Uneven pressure distribution from an uncorrected high spot can irritate the dental pulp, leading to discomfort, especially when chewing or consuming hot or cold items.
An unbalanced bite can accelerate wear on teeth. When chewing forces are not evenly distributed, the high spot on the filled tooth, the opposing tooth, or other teeth can experience excessive friction and pressure. Over time, this concentrated stress can lead to enamel erosion, compromising tooth structure and potentially requiring further dental work.
Uncorrected bite issues can also result in jaw pain, often radiating to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles. The jaw muscles may work harder to find a comfortable chewing position, leading to muscle fatigue, soreness, and sometimes clicking or popping sounds. This strain can contribute to the development of headaches.
Addressing an Uneven Bite After a Filling
If your bite feels uneven after a dental filling, contact your dental office promptly. Scheduling a follow-up appointment ensures the issue is addressed. Dentists are accustomed to these situations and allocate time for such adjustments.
The adjustment process is quick and comfortable, often requiring no local anesthesia. Your dentist will use a thin, colored articulating paper, sometimes referred to as occlusion paper, which leaves marks on the high spots when you bite down. These marks indicate where the filling material needs to be reduced. The dentist then uses a specialized polishing bur to remove minuscule amounts of material, refining its surface until a balanced bite is achieved.
Clear communication during this adjustment is beneficial. By accurately pointing out where you feel premature contact or discomfort, you can assist your dentist in locating and refining the uneven area. If discomfort is present, temporarily avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on the affected side. This can alleviate irritation and protect the tooth until the adjustment.
Bite adjustments are a routine and successful aspect of restorative dentistry. These minor corrections usually resolve the uneven sensation, restoring comfortable and balanced chewing function and contributing to overall oral health.