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Check the tooth
An X-ray and exam show whether decay or a crack caused the loss and whether enough tooth remains for a simple filling.
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Lost Filling: How To Protect the Tooth Until It Is Replaced
When a filling comes out, the soft inner part of the tooth is left open to food, cold and bacteria. It is rarely dangerous overnight, but the tooth weakens and decays quickly without cover.
1-855-219-4656 Is a lost filling an emergency?
Usually not a same-day one, but do not leave it for weeks. Call 1-855-219-4656 and aim to be seen within a few days, or the same day if the tooth is painful, sensitive to everything, or has a sharp edge. The exposed tooth is fragile and can crack or decay under normal chewing, turning a simple refill into a crown or root canal.
A lost filling is the kind of problem that seems harmless right up until it is not. The tooth may feel fine for a week, then crack on a piece of bread. Replacing it early is a short appointment, and usually the least expensive option on this whole page.
What a lost filling feels like
- A hole or rough crater your tongue keeps returning to
- A hard fragment you bit into, sometimes mistaken for a piece of food
- Sensitivity to cold, sweet or air blowing across the tooth
- Food packing into the gap after every meal
- Pain on chewing if the remaining tooth wall flexes
Fillings fall out because decay has crept in underneath, because the tooth around them has cracked, or simply because they are old. The dentist needs to clean out whatever caused the failure before placing a new one, which is why a lost filling is not always a like-for-like swap.
What to do tonight, before you are seen
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Fill the hole with temporary dental cement from a pharmacy or a piece of sugar-free gum | Do not use household glue or anything not made for the mouth |
| Rinse with warm salt water after eating to keep the cavity clean | Do not probe the hole with a toothpick or fingernail |
| Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen if the tooth aches | Do not chew hard or sticky food on that side |
| Keep the old filling if you found it, so the dentist can see what came out | Do not try to press the old filling back in. It will not stay and may crack the tooth |
How the dentist replaces a filling
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Clean and refill
Under local anesthetic, the dentist removes any decay and places a new composite or amalgam filling. Most take 20 to 40 minutes.
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Or reinforce
If the cavity is large or a wall has broken, a temporary filling is placed and a crown is planned. If the nerve is affected, a root canal comes first.
Lost filling replacement costs
| Treatment | Without insurance |
|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 |
| Temporary filling | $90–$300 |
| Composite filling | $150–$500 |
| Crown (if too little tooth remains) | $800–$2,000 |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. See the emergency dental cost guide and the no-insurance guide.
Treatments and related guides
Treatments a dentist may use: Lost crown and filling replacement, Broken tooth repair, Emergency root canal.
Lost Filling FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
Is a lost filling an emergency?
Not usually, but book within a few days. Go sooner if the tooth hurts, is very sensitive, or the edge is cutting your tongue. The longer the tooth stays open, the more likely it is to need a crown instead of a filling.
What can I put in the hole until I see a dentist?
Temporary filling material from a pharmacy is designed for this and lasts a few days. Sugar-free gum pressed into the gap works in a pinch. Avoid regular gum, which contains sugar, and any kind of glue.
Why did my filling fall out?
The most common reasons are new decay under the filling, a crack in the surrounding tooth, or an old filling that has simply worn loose. Sticky foods and clenching speed the process up.
Can the dentist just put the old filling back?
No. Once a filling comes out, the bond is gone and the tooth underneath usually needs cleaning. The dentist places a fresh filling, which is a short and routine procedure.
Will it hurt to replace the filling?
The area is numbed first. You may feel pressure and vibration, but not pain. Sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal and fades.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: ADA MouthHealthy, Fillings, ADA MouthHealthy, Dental Emergencies. Editorial policy.
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