Treatment
Lost or Loose Fillings
A filling that has fallen out or gone loose leaves the tooth open, and open teeth get worse quickly.
Fillings do not last forever. The seal at the edge eventually breaks down, decay works underneath, or the filling loosens and comes out altogether.
We check whether the tooth underneath is still sound. If it is, the filling is replaced. If decay has gone deeper or the tooth has cracked, you may need a crown instead.
An open tooth collects bacteria in a space you cannot clean, and the walls left behind are thin and prone to fracture. Replacing it early keeps the repair small.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about lost or loose fillings.
Anyone who has felt something come loose, noticed a rough edge with their tongue, or found a piece of filling in their food. Also anyone with a filling that has become sensitive.
The same as a normal filling appointment. Numbing, cleaning out the old material and any decay underneath, and rebuilding the tooth.
Thirty to sixty minutes for a straightforward replacement. Longer if the tooth needs a crown, which usually means a second visit.
Do not wait for it to hurt. A lost filling is painless surprisingly often, and the tooth is deteriorating the whole time it is uncovered.
Numbness for a few hours and possible cold sensitivity for a week or two. If it hurts to bite down afterward, call us, as the filling may just need adjusting.
Come and see us
We would love to meet you
Call the office or ask for a time online. We will come back to you within a business day, and tell you what it costs first.