How long does numbness last after a filling?

How long does numbness last after a filling?

Healthline says local anesthetic after a filling usually wears off in one to three hours but can last longer, depending on the type and amount used. Cleveland Clinic says articaine and lidocaine should go away completely within about two hours and that mepivacaine wears off sooner. Healthline's Novocaine page, which is older and about a shorter-acting drug, says Novocaine typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes, about 90 minutes with epinephrine, and lidocaine about an hour and a half to two hours.

Why it can last longer

Cleveland Clinic says higher doses, multiple shots or extensive procedures can prolong numbness, and that responses may vary slightly from person to person. Healthline says a dentist may give a higher dose to keep an area numb longer, that adding epinephrine extends the effect, and that a rare genetic condition called pseudocholinesterase deficiency, affecting about 1 in 5,000 people, can make effects last much longer with procaine. Healthline's page on fillings says many people dislike the lingering numbness in the cheek and tongue as much as the injection.

Can you make numbness wear off faster?

No, not on your own. Cleveland Clinic says there is no way to speed it up: you have to wait for the medication to leave the tissue. Some dentists can give a reversal injection (phentolamine, sold as OraVerse), described in Cleveland Clinic's drug information, so ask beforehand if you need to talk or eat soon after. Do not test the numbness by biting or pressing on your lip or tongue.

When can you eat after a filling?

Wait until the numbness wears off before eating, to avoid biting your tongue, cheek or lip, according to Cleveland Clinic and Healthline. If you must eat sooner, chew slowly on the other side. The material also matters: composite can be chewed on soon after, while amalgam is generally advised to be left for about 24 hours. Our guide on eating after a filling covers what to eat and avoid.

What to avoid while you are numb

Cleveland Clinic lists biting your lip, cheek or tongue among the side effects. Avoid hot drinks and food, because you cannot feel a burn, and take small sips from a cup, as drinking is messy while numb. Do not drive if your dentist used sedation as well as local anesthetic; the sedation guidance depends on the type.

What you may feel as it wears off

Healthline says tingling and soreness may occur as numbness wears off, along with mild, short-lived effects such as pins and needles, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, muscle twitching and minor pain at the injection site. Cleveland Clinic says soreness at the injection site can linger. Mild sensitivity in the filled tooth for a few days is common.

When numbness is not normal

The sources do not give a cut-off for when numbness is too long. The NHS lists numbness or tingling in the tongue, lips or chin as a possible complication after wisdom tooth removal, and says to seek advice if it worsens. If your numbness is clearly longer than you were told, or is spreading or changing, call the dentist who treated you. Allergic reactions to dental anesthetic are rare, according to Healthline, but need emergency care if you have hives, swelling or trouble breathing.

Questions to ask before a filling

A short conversation at the start sets expectations for how you will feel afterwards.

• How long should I expect the numbness to last for this appointment?
• Will my lip and tongue be numb as well as the tooth?
• When is it safe to eat and drink, and does that depend on the filling material?
• Who do I call if the numbness lasts longer than expected, and what is the number outside office hours?
• Is there anything in my health history, such as medicines or allergies, I should tell you first?

Frequently asked questions