Flying after inlay/onlay: the short version
You can fly immediately after an inlay or onlay appointment. A bonded inlay or onlay is solid and sealed, and cabin pressure does not affect it. If you are between the two visits, you will be traveling with a temporary filling in the prepared tooth, and that is the part that deserves some thought.
What is actually going on
Between preparation and bonding, the tooth is protected by a temporary that is softer and less tightly sealed than the final restoration. On the ground that is a minor point. In the air, a tooth with an imperfect seal over a freshly drilled, somewhat irritated nerve is the kind that occasionally aches with pressure changes during climb or descent. It is uncommon and passes after landing, but it explains why some people notice that tooth on a flight. The bigger risk is the ordinary one: the temporary chips or comes out during a meal while you are away, leaving the cavity open and sensitive. Once the porcelain or gold piece has been bonded, the tooth behaves like any restored tooth and flying is a non-issue. Check the bite feels even before a long trip.
The first time, step by step
An inlay or onlay visit does not restrict flying. Leaving straight from the appointment, you may have a numb lip and tongue for a few hours, typical for back teeth, so keep food and hot drinks for later. If the final piece was bonded today, bite together once feeling returns: the tooth should meet evenly with its neighbors, and if it does not, phone the office before you travel far. If today was the preparation visit, you are flying with a temporary, so chew the in-flight meal on the other side. A passing ache in that tooth on climb or descent can be mentioned to your dentist at the next visit.
Fly on an Airplane After Inlay/Onlay: What You Need to Know
Wait time
After a inlay/onlay, you can typically resume flying immediately.
Why
No concerns
Tips for Flying After Inlay/Onlay
- 01Ask your dentist whether the final piece can be bonded before your trip, or whether a same-day inlay is an option.
- 02With a temporary in place, chew on the other side and avoid sticky or hard foods while traveling.
- 03If the temporary comes out during your trip, see a local dentist to have the tooth covered instead of leaving it open.
Common mistakes
- 01Plugging the hole with gum or wax when a temporary falls out abroad and leaving it for the rest of the trip. The open cavity can decay and the neighboring teeth can drift, so the finished piece may no longer fit.
- 02Letting the bonding visit slip a month because of back-to-back trips. Temporaries are made for a short interval, and teeth can shift enough in the meantime that the lab-made piece needs remaking.
- 03Dismissing a tooth that aches on every flight for months after the final restoration. A lasting pattern of pain at altitude suggests the nerve is inflamed or the seal is imperfect, and the dentist should test the tooth.
Other Activities After Inlay/Onlay
See when you can do other activities after your inlay/onlay:
Table 1 — Other activities after inlay/onlay
| Activity | Wait |
|---|---|
| Use a Straw | When numbness wears off |
| Eat Normally | 24 hours |
| Smoke | No restriction |
| Drink Alcohol | No restriction |
| Drive | Immediately |
| Exercise | Immediately |
Recovery info
Recovery timelines are general guidelines based on typical cases. Individual recovery may vary based on your health, the complexity of your procedure, and other factors. Your own dentist's or surgeon's post-operative instructions always take priority over anything on this page. Call them if you are unsure.