All I'm trying to do is figure out the heighth of the platform I will need to build to install a new shower stall. Oh and Marlin, I said that a hole was not an option for many reasons. Number one on that list is not wanting to turn a $3,000 job into a $30,000 job.
In brief: Generally.. As far as the filling itself goes, you can eat right away with tooth colored composite fillings, but should wait at least one hour with amalgam (silver) fillings. It's always best you ask your own dentist as this can vary somewhat based upon the size and location of the filling.
Avoiding to expose the tooth to stimulants that may trigger the pain is usually enough, and rarely an over the counter pain reliever will be needed, until the tooth sensitivity subsides. A tooth pain after filling will usually resolve without any special treatment within a few days or 1-2 weeks time. However, if you have extreme sensitivity and pain, or it continues for many weeks after the treatment you should contact your dentist. In these cases the persistent toothache after filling is more possibly an indication of a problem either with the filling or with the tooth itself.