A filling or crown coming loose is one of the most common reasons people ring a dentist, and it almost always happens at the worst time, on a weekend or mid-meal. The good news is that a lost filling or crown is rarely a true emergency. The tooth underneath, though, is suddenly exposed and more fragile, so the goal for the next day or two is to protect it and keep it clean until you can be seen.
Key takeaways
- A lost filling or crown is usually not an emergency, but book a dental appointment within a few days to protect the tooth.
- Keep the crown if you find it; a clean, intact crown can often be re-cemented.
- Pharmacy temporary dental cement can cover an exposed tooth or hold a crown for a short time. Do not use household glue.
- Chew on the other side, keep the area clean, and manage sensitivity with a soft diet and avoiding very hot, cold or sweet foods.
- See a dentist sooner if there is severe pain, swelling, fever, or a sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek.
The one rule: protect the exposed tooth and keep the crown
Two things matter most in the moment. First, protect the now-exposed tooth, because without its filling or crown it is weaker and the inner layers are open to temperature, sugar and bacteria. Second, if a crown has come off whole, keep it. A crown that is intact and clean can very often be re-cemented at a fraction of the cost and effort of making a new one. A filling cannot be reused, but the principle is the same: cover and protect the tooth until you are seen.
What to do in the first 24 hours
If a crown came off
- Find the crown, rinse it gently, and keep it in a small container.
- Clean the tooth gently. You can buy temporary dental cement from a pharmacy and use it to slip the crown back on, following the packet, as a short-term measure only.
- Never use superglue or any household adhesive. It is toxic, can damage the tooth and crown, and makes proper re-cementing harder.
- If the crown will not stay or you cannot find it, cover the tooth with temporary cement and chew on the other side.
If a filling came out
- Rinse your mouth with warm salty water to keep the cavity clean.
- Cover the hole with pharmacy temporary filling material if the edge is sharp or the tooth is sensitive.
- Keep the area clean when brushing, and avoid packing food into it.
Managing discomfort
Sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet is common because the inner tooth is exposed. Stick to soft foods, avoid extremes of temperature, and use over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the packet if needed. Clove oil dabbed on with a cotton bud can settle a sensitive tooth briefly, but use it sparingly as it can irritate the gum.
What not to do
- Do not ignore it for weeks. An exposed tooth can decay quickly, and a small problem can turn into a root canal or extraction.
- Do not chew hard or sticky foods on that side, which can crack the weakened tooth.
- Do not try to file down a sharp edge yourself.
- Do not use household glue to refit a crown.
When it is more urgent
See a dentist promptly, rather than waiting, if you have severe or throbbing pain, facial swelling, a fever, a bad taste or discharge, or a sharp broken edge cutting your tongue or cheek. These can signal infection or a deeper fracture, which the article on root canal vs extraction explains in more detail.
What happens at the appointment, and the cost
Your dentist will examine the tooth, often with an X-ray, and decide whether it can simply be refilled, whether a crown can be re-cemented, or whether more is needed such as a new crown or, if decay has reached the nerve, root canal treatment. Re-cementing an existing crown is usually the quickest and cheapest outcome, which is why keeping the crown matters. As a general market guide only, a new filling commonly ranges from around 150 to 350 dollars and re-cementing a crown is typically a smaller fee, while a new crown is much more. These are general ranges, not a quote, and the team at Lumi Dental does not list its own prices here. For current pricing see our current deals page or book a general dental appointment for a written quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is a lost filling or crown an emergency?
Usually not. It is uncomfortable and the tooth needs protecting, but unless there is severe pain, swelling or fever you can normally wait a few days for an appointment.
Can I put my crown back in myself?
As a short-term measure, yes, using pharmacy temporary dental cement, never household glue. It is a stopgap until your dentist can re-cement it properly.
How long can I leave a tooth without a filling?
Not long. Within days to a couple of weeks the exposed tooth can decay further or fracture, so book in promptly even if it does not hurt.
Why did my crown fall off?
Common reasons are the cement washing out over years, decay forming under the crown, or a heavy bite or sticky food pulling it free. Your dentist will check which it is.
Does it hurt to have a crown re-cemented?
Usually not. If the tooth is sound, re-cementing is quick and often needs no anaesthetic.
If you have lost a filling or crown, the team at Lumi Dental in Melrose Park can protect the tooth and get it sorted. Related reading: types of dental crowns, white vs silver fillings, inlays, onlays, crowns and fillings, and when tooth pain is an emergency.
