How to Care for a New Dental Crown or Filling

By Dr. Boris Zusin · Published August 2, 2026

A new crown or filling generally settles in without much drama, but the first few days matter more than most patients expect. Here's what's normal, what to avoid, and what's worth a call.

Expect Some Sensitivity — It Usually Fades

Mild sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure for a few days to a couple of weeks is normal after a filling or crown, especially if the treatment was deep or close to the nerve. This typically fades gradually on its own. If you had a filling with local anesthetic, some numbness in the lips, tongue, or cheek for a few hours afterward is also completely normal — avoid chewing or hot drinks until feeling fully returns, so you don't accidentally bite or burn numb tissue without realizing it.

If You Have a Temporary Crown

Between your prep visit and your final crown, you're wearing a temporary that's intentionally less durable — it's meant to protect the tooth, not withstand full chewing force. Avoid sticky or chewy foods (caramel, gum, taffy) that can pull a temporary off, avoid chewing directly on that side if possible, and don't floss by pulling straight up through the contact — slide the floss out sideways instead, since pulling upward can dislodge a temporary crown.

Eating After a Filling

If you had a standard composite (tooth-colored) filling, it's typically fully set and safe to eat on right after the appointment once numbness wears off. If you had a large filling or one that was particularly deep, it's still reasonable to favor the other side for the first day.

Watch Your Bite

A crown or filling that feels slightly "high" — where your teeth meet a little differently than before, or one tooth seems to hit first when you bite down — is common right after the anesthetic wears off and your bite feels different than it actually is. But if it still feels off a day or two later, don't wait it out; a quick bite adjustment is a simple, five-minute fix, and leaving a genuinely high bite unaddressed can cause real discomfort or even damage to the opposing tooth over time.

When to Call Us

Reach out if sensitivity is getting worse rather than better after the first week or two, if you have sharp pain when biting down (not just sensitivity), if a temporary crown comes off, or if anything feels loose, cracked, or noticeably different from how it felt when you left the office.

Most new crowns and fillings settle in without any issues at all — but if something doesn't feel right, it's always worth a quick call rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own. See our full post-treatment care guide for more.