What to Do If You Lose a Filling or Crown

Losing a filling or crown can be unexpected and stressful. Although it’s a common dental emergency, it’s essential to take quick action to prevent discomfort and protect your tooth from further damage.

At Gentle Dental Care, LLC, our team, including award-winning dentist Dr. Brad Strober, offers emergency dental care to help you recover after losing a filling or crown. If this has happened to you, follow these steps to manage the situation until you can get professional help.

Why Fillings and Crowns Fall Out

There are several reasons why a filling or crown may come loose or fall out:

• Normal wear and tear from chewing can weaken these restorations. 
• Tooth decay underneath a filling or crown can compromise its stability.
• A sudden impact, like biting down on something hard or experiencing trauma to the mouth, can cause a crown or filling to dislodge.

Losing a filling or crown is fixable. Prompt care can restore your smile.

Immediate Steps to Take

If you lose a filling or crown, taking immediate action can help protect your exposed tooth. Here are a few steps to follow:

• Rinse Your Mouth: Start by gently rinsing your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
• Protect the Tooth: You can protect the exposed tooth by covering it with dental cement, which is available at most pharmacies. If dental cement is unavailable, you can temporarily use sugar-free gum.
• Don’t Chew on the Affected Side: To prevent further damage or discomfort, don’t chew on the side of your mouth with the missing filling or crown.

These temporary measures can help until you’re able to see a dentist.

Don’t Wait to Seek Professional Care

Although these steps can offer temporary relief, scheduling a dental appointment as soon as possible is crucial. 

Failing to treat a lost filling or crown can lead to tooth decay, sensitivity, and infection. Without the protective barrier of a filling or crown, your tooth becomes vulnerable to further damage.

Gentle Dental Care, LLC offers emergency dental treatment to restore your tooth and prevent complications. Our experienced team can replace the lost filling or crown and restore your smile.

Book Your Appointment Today

Don’t wait to address your dental emergency. If you’ve lost a filling or crown, contact Gentle Dental Care, LLC, to schedule your appointment and prevent further damage.

Our team is here to provide prompt, effective care when you need it most. Call us at 732.549.5660.