A “filling” is a restoration done by a dentist to remove decay (a cavity) on a tooth. Essentially, the dentist will “drill” the cavity out of the tooth and then “fill” the tooth in with a specific filling material known as “composite”. The composite is tooth colored and is packed accordingly to naturally fit the contours of the tooth. When the filling is done, the tooth will look as good as new as if no work was ever done to it! If you are wondering if cheek swelling should occur, it shouldn’t but some reasons may explain some scenarios similar to cheek swelling.
Prior to receiving the filling, the dentist will numb the area with local anesthesia so that no pain is felt during the filling process. During this process it might feel like your cheek is swollen or “fat,” but this sort of sensation occurs when the nerves are confused by the anesthesia. Sometimes, the cheeks or your face structure can look different because of this anesthesia but it shouldn’t look abnormally swollen by any means. Once the numbing wears off, this sort of “swollen” sensation should go away and things should revert back to normal.
Additionally, while you are numb it can be difficult to feel your cheeks and tongue, which can make it easy to accidentally bite it. You may notice that the inside if your cheek looks “swollen” or enlarged from biting or chewing on the cheek tissue. This can cause discomfort or pain when the numbing wears off and you may notice tenderness. If you notice this, it may take a day or two for the discomfort to go away. You can also perform warm saltwater rinses to help the tissue heal itself on its own over time. If it hurts, avoid chewing on that area so that food particles don’t rub against it or you don’t accidentally bite in again.
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After a filling, you shouldn’t see any extreme cheek swelling. Sometimes the nerves are confused and it feels as if something may be “swollen,” but it’s just a result of the local anesthesia. On the other hand, you could experience a potential swelling or raised area of the inside of the cheek where you may have bitten the cheek on accident. However, if after your filling you observe extreme facial swelling of the cheeks, you should immediately call the dentist for an evaluation. Our office in Lakewood, CO would be more than happy to take a look at the area to determine the cause in order to find a solution. Please do not put off any appointment if you experience any facial swelling!
