What to Do With a Lost Filling Or Crown? Is It a Dental Emergency?

Although not necessarily an emergency, a lost filling or crown should be brought to your dentist’s attention promptly. This is because the situation can worsen and lead to further damage.

This guide explains what you should do if your dental filling or crown comes off, when you need urgent dental care, when it is reasonable to wait before scheduling an appointment, and how to prevent this problem.

What to Do With a Lost Filling or Crown Right Away

If your crown or dental filling comes off, the most important thing is to stay calm and take the necessary steps. Do the following:

1. Save the Piece 

If the crown or filling comes out in one piece, you should keep it in good condition and take it to your dental appointment.

Rinse the piece with lukewarm water and place it in a clean, small container. This way, the dentist may be able to clean and re-cement the intact piece. This may mean you won’t need to replace the lost filling or crown.

2. Keep the Area Clean

Food particles and bacteria may be trapped in the affected area where the filling or crown came off.

To prevent that, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This helps flush away trapped food and clean the area while you wait for professional dental care. You can also brush around the affected tooth, but remember not to scrub the exposed area, since the area may be sensitive and doing so can increase discomfort.

Read more: “When Do You Need to Get a Dental Filling?“

3. Protect the Exposed Surface

Consider using orthodontic wax to temporarily cover the exposed area, especially if the affected tooth feels sharp or is irritating your tongue or cheek. Although protecting the opening until you see a dentist is essential, never use household glue or superglue for this purpose. None of these products are safe to use in the mouth and can interfere with appropriate dental treatment.

4. Chew on The Other Side

Until your dentist examines the tooth, avoid chewing on the affected side. Beyond that, eating softer foods and avoiding crunchy, sticky, very hot, or extremely cold foods helps prevent the sensitivity from worsening.

5. Manage Discomfort

If losing a filling or crown causes severe pain, consider using over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Severe pain can interfere with your daily activities, so managing it can help you stay comfortable until you see a dentist.

Applying a cold pack outside of your cheek can also help reduce swelling and discomfort. In case of bleeding, you can press clean gauze against the affected area for about 10 to 20 minutes. If bleeding does not stop, seek urgent dental care as soon as possible.

Read more: “Have you Had a Tooth Extraction? Read this Guide on Antibiotics after a Tooth Extraction“

Is a Lost Filling or Crown an Emergency?

Regardless of the severity, always contact your dentist immediately when you lose a dental filling or crown. A broken crown or a loose filling is a dental problem that needs professional attention. That said, problems like uncontrolled bleeding or a badly damaged tooth can make the situation more urgent.

When to Seek Same-Day Emergency Care

Contact your dentist for a same-day emergency visit if you experience:

• Severe or worsening pain
• Significant swelling
• Unmanageable bleeding
• A fracture or break in the tooth that is beyond restoration

Note that swelling that spreads to the neck or face or causes difficulty breathing also needs immediate medical attention.

When You Can Wait a Short Time

A mildly sensitive tooth that feels slightly rough after the restoration comes off is not an emergency. If you do not experience extreme pain or swelling, you can wait a short time without worrying about the consequences of a lost filling or crown.

However, it is still best to contact your dentist promptly and discuss the situation, rather than leaving the tooth untreated. The exposed tooth may become more susceptible to further damage over time.

How to Keep Your Fillings and Crowns Secure

Preventing the problem is better than dealing with it after it happens. These tips help keep dental crowns and fillings secure and reduce the risk of them becoming loose:

• Attend regular checkups and cleanings. This is how your dentist can spot worn or loose restorations early.
• Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day and floss regularly. Good oral hygiene helps limit plaque and decay around the edges of fillings and crowns.
• Do not chew ice or very hard foods. Sticky foods can put extra pressure on a filling or crown and potentially dislodge it.
• If you grind or clench while you are asleep, ask your dentist for a custom night guard.
• Pay attention to changes and report them to your dentist. Signals like increased sensitivity, a rough edge, a change in your bite, or a restoration that feels unstable may indicate a problem that worsens if not treated immediately.

Find the Right Care for Your Lost Filling or Crown

A lost filling or crown can be a dental emergency in some cases. That said,  it is possible to delay an appointment with your dentist when the pain is mild, and there are no signs of swelling or severe discomfort. Even if the symptoms are mild, a damaged restoration should be reported to your dentist promptly.

If you are in Toronto and dealing with a loose filling or crown, our team at Pearl Dental Group can help you. Contact us to schedule an appointment. Our experienced dentists evaluate your case and then recommend the best solution based on your needs.

FAQ

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