Most of the questions I get are about the day itself. How long will it take? What does the rubber dam feel like? Can I have everything done in one go?
Far fewer people ask about the week afterwards. That's a shame, because that's the part you go through on your own, often on a train heading back to York or Cardiff or Newcastle. So here it is, as honestly as I can put it.
The first few hours
You'll be numb. Depending on how many fillings we've replaced, and where they are, that can last anywhere from two to five hours. Top teeth usually wear off sooner than bottom ones.
The white fillings we place are set hard with a curing light before you leave the chair. So there's no "don't eat for 24 hours" rule. The only reason to wait is the numbness. If you can't feel your lip, you can bite it without noticing, and a bitten lip is a miserable souvenir to take home on the train.
My advice is simple. Have a drink with a straw, bring something soft for the journey, and save the proper meal for when the feeling comes back.
The first few days
A bit of tenderness in the gum around the treated teeth is normal. The rubber dam is held in place with small clamps, and the gum can feel it for a day or two, a bit like new shoes.
Your jaw may ache too. You've had your mouth open for a long stretch, and that's hard work for the muscles, especially if we've done a whole side or the whole mouth in one visit. Warmth on the jaw and ordinary painkillers (whatever you'd normally take for a headache) usually see it off.
Sensitivity
This is the one people worry about most, so let me be clear about it.
It's common for a tooth to be sensitive to cold after a filling is replaced, especially where the old filling was large and deep. With most patients it settles over a few days, sometimes a couple of weeks. A sensitive toothpaste can help in the meantime.
What isn't normal is pain that's getting worse rather than better, pain that keeps you awake, or a throbbing ache that lingers long after the cold has gone. If you get any of those, get in touch. Don't wait it out.
"My bite feels high"
We check your bite carefully before you leave. But when you're numb, it's genuinely hard to tell where your teeth are meeting. Once the feeling comes back, a filling can sometimes feel a touch high.
The fix takes a few minutes. If you live nearby, pop back in. If you've travelled from the other end of the country, send us a WhatsApp and we'll talk it through. Most of the time we can sort it, and any local dentist can make a small adjustment if needed.
Looking after the new fillings
Treat them like your own teeth. Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth, and keep seeing your own dentist and hygienist for check-ups. White fillings can pick up staining over time from tea, coffee and red wine, and a regular clean helps keep them looking their best.
Travelling home
Most of my patients aren't Londoners, so this bit matters. A few practical things:
-Book a return train with some slack. Appointments can run over, and there's nothing worse than watching the clock with a rubber dam in.
-Bring water, lip balm and something soft to eat. Your lips can feel dry after a long appointment.
-If you're staying over, have a quiet evening. No big plans the night of treatment.
A word on what this is, and isn't
I remove amalgam fillings using the SMART protocol. That means a rubber dam, high-volume suction and a separate air supply, to keep exposure during removal as low as reasonably possible for you and my team. I'm the IAOMT SMART Protocol Mentor in the UK, and in September I was made a Fellow of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. I'm the only active Fellow in the country. You can read what that involved here.
What I won't do is promise you how you'll feel afterwards. Everyone is different, and I'd rather be straight with you than sell you something. What I can promise is careful dentistry, done the same careful way every time, and a practice that answers the phone (or the WhatsApp) if something doesn't feel right.
Before you book
If you're weighing up amalgam removal, read how we plan treatment for patients travelling to London and look at our prices. Then message us on WhatsApp or call 020 7099 6651. We'll talk you through it before you book a single train.
Dr Daniel Sutcliffe, BDS (Manchester, 2004), GDC 83256. Fellow of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. The Bespoke Dentist, 28 Harley Place, London W1G 8LZ.
This article is general information, not personal advice. If you have a concern about your own teeth, speak to your dentist.
At The Bespoke Dentist, we pride ourselves on providing personalised dental care tailored to your needs. Please fill out the contact form below to get in touch. Whether you have a question or want to book an appointment, we're here to help.
