How long after cavity gets fixed?

[Cali_diver]

My husband and I are going on a dive trip to Tahiti in June. We just got back from Hawaii where my husband had a tooth go bad on him during a dive (bad enough that he was almost screaming as our plane was descending). His is getting a cavity redone on Wed. and he would really like to test the tooth out before our trip in June. Is there a certain amount of time he should wait before he dives?

 

[Hoosier]

Once a cavity is filled, one or two weeks are more than enough. Even after a root canal treatment, you can go back to the diving one week after completing a restorative job.

Don't ask me how I knew....

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Cali-divegirl,

It does appear a wise idea to "test" a tooth's post-restoration response to significant changes in ambient pressure before leaving for a dive vacation in a semi-remote foreign venue.

However, it's not clear exactly what "getting a cavity redone" means in this instance. If it's a simple matter of replacing a lost or deteriorated filling, then a test dive likely could take place the following day unless the dentist advised otherwise.

If it involves endodontic procedures such a root canal, the dentist/endodontist should be informed that the patient is a diver so that extra care can be taken to leave no air pockets. Return to diving should follow the advice of the treating professional, but if all goes smoothly it should only be a matter of a of couple of days before all materials are sufficiently set to withstand the pressure changes inherent in SCUBA and the gripping of a second stage mouthpiece.

Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[Cali_diver]

Thank you, he had a cavity under a small fillling. He got it fixed today (with silver) so hopefully it will be better.

 

[Papa_Bear]

I had a molar done right before leaving on a trip! I told the Dentist and he made sure there was no air pockets and said no problem! That was a 127 dives ago!

 

[drbill]

I've never given much thought to delaying diving after dental work (and, believe me, I've made my dentist rich beyond his wildest expectations). The issue of trapped air pockets is of potential concern of course and a test is certainly a good idea. Since I'm not a medical doctor, I'd take Doc's advice. I've had concerns about cavities that form under older fillings since these would probably create air cavities with little in the way of an escape route for the gas.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Cali_divergirl,

That's not an uncommon occurrence.

Sounds like he's good to go.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Theunis]

I was on a diving holiday on the South Coast, South Africa. After my morning dive I ate some bubble gum and my filling fell out. I went to the dentist after it happened, she replaced my filling and said I can go back diving!! I did, and the next morning I was diving again watching Bull sharks at 40 meters (131 feet)!

That was 2 years ago and the filling is still doing it's job.