Why is my bite off after the dentist?

Three things make a bite feel wrong in the days after dental work, and they have very different endings. First, the numbness itself: while the local anaesthetic wears off over a few hours, you lose the fine sense of how your teeth meet, so your bite feels alien even when it is perfectly fine - never judge your bite while still numb. Second, plain muscle tiredness: your jaw was held open for a long appointment, and a fatigued jaw and a tender tooth make everything feel uneven for a day or two. Third, the one that needs action: a filling that sits slightly high. MedlinePlus describes how dentists fill teeth - removing the decayed material and replacing it with composite or another material - and that new material changes the tooth's shape by a fraction of a millimetre. If the new surface meets the opposite tooth first, it takes all the force of every bite, and it feels distinctly wrong, sometimes with a tender bruise-like ache when you chew. Do not try to wear it in - teeth do not adjust that way, and biting repeatedly on a high spot can bruise the ligament around the root. Instead, wait until the numbness has fully gone, test gently, and if it still feels high after a day or two, call the dentist: adjusting a filling takes a couple of minutes and no injection. NHS advice also notes some sensitivity for a short while afterwards is normal. The escalation line: throbbing pain, pain that wakes you, or sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers long after the trigger - that suggests the nerve is struggling and the tooth needs a review. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you decide whether yours needs the callback.