Lost a Crown or Filling? Here's What to Do (and What Not to Do)
Written/reviewed by Arezoo Sotoodeh, DMD
You’re eating dinner and suddenly feel something hard in your mouth. Your crown or filling has come out. It’s alarming, but it’s very fixable. What you do in the next day or two can make a big difference in how simple the repair is.
Why Crowns and Fillings Come Loose
- Decay underneath the crown or filling
- Sticky or hard foods like caramel, taffy, ice or hard candy
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Normal wear on older dental work
If Your Crown Comes Off
- Keep the crown. Rinse it gently and store it in a small bag or container. Bring it to your visit, we may be able to re-cement it.
- Call us to schedule a visit as soon as possible.
- Protect the tooth. The tooth under a crown is often small and sensitive. Avoid chewing on that side.
- Temporary fix (optional): pharmacies sell temporary dental cement that can hold the crown in place for a short time. Only use it if the crown fits easily and comfortably.
If Your Filling Falls Out
- Rinse with warm salt water to clean the area.
- Avoid very hot, cold or sugary foods, which can trigger sensitivity.
- Use temporary filling material from the pharmacy to cover the hole until your appointment, if needed.
- Call us for a visit. An open hole can trap food and bacteria.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t use super glue or household adhesives. They can damage the tooth and the crown and make re- cementing harder.
- Don’t wait weeks. An unprotected tooth can decay, crack or shift, so the crown may no longer fit.
- Don’t chew on the exposed tooth.
If you think you swallowed your crown, call us. It usually passes on its own. If you’re coughing, wheezing or having trouble breathing, you may have inhaled it, so go to the emergency room.
How We Fix It
If the crown and tooth are healthy, we can often clean and re-cement your crown. If there’s decay underneath or the crown is damaged, we can make a new one. With our in-office CEREC system, many patients receive a new crown in the same visit. Lost fillings are usually replaced with a tooth-colored filling in one appointment.
Southwest Family Dentistry 9200 W Cross Drive, Suite 300, Littleton, CO 80123
Call (303) 973-5859 or book online. New patients are welcome for emergency visits.
Frequently asked questions
It's urgent but usually not dangerous. Call us within a day or two, sooner if you're in pain or the tooth is broken.
Don't use super glue. Pharmacy temporary dental cement can hold it for a short time, but you still need a dental visit to have it properly cleaned and cemented.
The inner layer of the tooth is exposed and sensitive to temperature and air. Avoid hot, cold and sugary foods and see us soon.
Often, yes, if the crown isn't damaged and the tooth underneath is healthy. Bring it with you.
It's best to be seen within a few days. Waiting longer can let decay grow or the tooth crack.
Whatever Cleaning You Need, We’ve Got You
Anxious about a deep cleaning? Our No-Judgment Guarantee means gentle numbing, a clear explanation of every step, and zero lectures about how you got here.
Worried about cost without insurance? Our In-Office Dental Plan gives uninsured patients an affordable path to the periodontal care they need.
Ready to protect your smile? Schedule online or call our Littleton, CO office today.
Sources – Cleveland Clinic. (2023, April 20). Bleeding gums: Causes & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. clevelandclinic.org
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, April 20). Gingivitis: Symptoms & how to treat it. Cleveland Clinic. clevelandclinic.org
Mayo Clinic. (2023, February 24). Gingivitis – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. mayoclinic.org
Mayo Clinic. (2023, February 24). Periodontitis – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. mayoclinic.org
