Tooth Squeezes

[aaron9876]

Last week I had cavity filled, and then got a tooth squeeze when I tried to go diving over the weekend. After returning to shore I spoke to another diver and he said that most dentists recommend waiting some time after a filling before going diving again. Additionally, I went back to the dentist today and he took some x-rays and couldn't find any air spaces anywhere in the filling.

Has anyone else here been told to wait before diving after having dental work, and if so for how long? Or is this not likely and it really is a problem with the filling?

 

[all4scuba05]

Makes me wonder. If a stone has a tiny air pocket in the center, does depth in the ocean affect the air pocket in any way?

 

[sprange]

Unless the void in the restoration was huge, it would not likely be visible on a X-ray. With 'old school' amalgam, the forceful act of condensing it into the cavity pretty much ensured no air spaces. That said, some liners placed under deep fillings are water soluble, so over time a space can open up (and it would be right over the sensitive part--the pulp). So called 'white' fillings tend to not pack as well as amalgam, so voids are still possible even under the best conditions (ie rubber dam and proper selection of material). I usually inform my patients to avoid diving for a week as occasionally teeth are sensitive after a restoration is placed, and breathing dense, cold air wouldn't be entirely comfortable.

Sean

 

[divergirl1227]

I have had a root canal and went diving with days of it and had no problems.
My dentists knew I was going diving and said nothing. But I thought I would have a problem but luckily did not.

 

[mhedstrom]

I had tooth issues last year. Did a checkout dive to 25 feet for 20 minutes, came up, and within 10 minutes my upper jaw in this one area was on absolute fire and took awhile to subside. Went to the dentist, a filling I had in that area had cracked. While he didn't say that was the cause of my issues, he replaced the filling, I dove 2 days after that without any problems. I talked extensively with my dentist about diving while I was there, and he knew I was diving very soon after, and he too didn't say anything. Haven't had any issues since.