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.
Composite fillings are tooth colored, which makes them a popular choice. Metal is not your only choice, note that there are better materials that not only look better, but function better, and are much safer and more kind to your teeth. There are many metal materials used in the industry. Factories need to produce the metal for the fillings.