A question for dentists

[PrettyCandles]

I had severe toothache on and off for nearly a month before I went to the dentist. Turned out to be a loose filling. He replaced it with a temporary one and told me to give the nerve a chance to settle down. If I still had pain I should come back for a root canal treatment, but if no pain then return in 3-6m for a proper filling.

Thing is, I was so gaga with pain and fear that I'm not certain whether I'm meant to go back after 3m, or sooner if still in any pain. It's been just over 2w, and the pain is vastly imProved - no spontaneous pain, but I can't chew on that side.

I don't get it, temp fillings usually only expected to last few weeks.
you should go see him sooner rather than later if you can't eat on that side, it's not normal.

I have a temporary filling and it's lasted years! The deal with my dentist is to leave it alone!

must just be what my dentist calls a temporary filling, then.
ring PC, ring...

Temporary fillings can last years, whoever told you they last months is probably just trying to ensure you go back for definitive treatment.

There are so many issues which could prevent you eating on that side it's impossible to say without examining you, the tooth and any radiographs. Generally I reckon if I do temp fillings on large cavities, they should settle withing a month. If not then we need to do something else. Obviously if it's painful (ie spontaneous pain unrelated to a stimulus such as hot, cold or biting) you need to go back ASAP.