It’s very common for patients to tell us that a new filling doesn’t quite feel right in the days after treatment. Some describe it as feeling high, tight, or just strange when they bite together. Understandably, this can feel worrying - especially if the tooth was comfortable before.
As Principal Dentist, I want to reassure you that this sensation is usually temporary, and in most cases, settles naturally as your mouth adjusts.
Why can a filling feel high after treatment?
When a filling is placed, we carefully check your bite and make precise adjustments. However, even when everything is technically correct, your mouth can still perceive the filling as different at first.
Common reasons include:
1. Your bite is incredibly sensitive
Your teeth, jaw muscles, and nervous system are finely tuned. Even microscopic changes, far smaller than the eye can see, can feel significant initially.
2. Local anaesthetic affects perception
While numb, it’s harder to bite naturally. Even once sensation returns, your brain may take time to recalibrate how your teeth meet.
3. The filling material needs time to settle
Modern filling materials are extremely durable, but your bite adapts to them rather than the other way around. This adaptation usually happens over several days.
4. Jaw muscle tension after treatment
Keeping your mouth open during dental treatment can temporarily strain jaw muscles, altering how your bite feels for a short period afterwards.
Why can a filling feel ‘under pressure’?
Some patients describe a feeling of pressure rather than height. This is often due to:
Mild inflammation around the tooth following treatment
The tooth ligament being slightly irritated during the procedure
Increased awareness of the area after dental work
These sensations usually reduce as the tooth settles.
Why we usually advise waiting before adjusting a filling
Your bite often self-corrects as your mouth relaxes and your nervous system adapts. If a filling is adjusted too early, it can sometimes lead to unnecessary removal of material that would have felt completely normal a few days later.
We tend to recommend a patient does not come back for any adjustments when a filling doesn’t feel right for at least 7 days whilst the mouth gets used to the filling, unless there is strong pain or a patient cannot open their mouth.
This short waiting period helps us make more accurate decisions and avoids over-adjustment.
When should you contact us sooner?
While mild discomfort or odd sensations are normal, please contact us if:
There is persistent or worsening pain
The tooth is very painful when biting
You cannot open your mouth comfortably
The filling feels dramatically high and prevents normal chewing
These symptoms may indicate that an earlier review is needed.
Next steps
At tooth, we always aim for precision, comfort, and long-term stability. Most post-filling bite concerns resolve naturally within a few days, and patience often leads to the best outcome.
If something still doesn’t feel right after the adjustment period, we’re always happy to reassess and fine-tune things, carefully and conservatively.
We hope this information helps - the important thing is don’t worry, be patient and don’t think that anything has been done incorrectly…. if your filling feels high or compacted, what you are experiencing is totally normal and exceptionally common. And remember, if you need us, we’re just a click away.
Dr. Anna x