Lost Filling or Crown

Fillings are materials used to fill cavities in the teeth. Crowns cover the tops of damaged teeth. Sometimes, fillings or crowns fall out. In some cases, a filling or crown may come loose because there is decay underneath it. The decay changes the shape of the tooth so the crown or filling no longer fits properly.

A lost filling or crown is rarely an emergency. However, it can be painful because the exposed tooth tissue is often sensitive to temperature, pressure or air. If you lose a crown, put it in a safe place and make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you can. Don't wait too long. The tooth will be weak and could be damaged more without the crown to protect it. Also, when a crown is missing for a long time, your teeth may move. If this happens, your crown may no longer fit.

If you have lost a filling or crown and your tooth is sensitive, here's what you can do until you get to your dentist:

Apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area with a cotton swab. This will give you pain relief. You can buy clove oil in drugstores or in the spice aisles of many supermarkets.

If you still have the crown, you may be able to slip it back over the tooth. Before you do that, clean the inside of the crown. Then coat the inside of the crown with tooth "cement," which you can buy in the dental section of your pharmacy. Some tooth cements need to be mixed; others don't. If you can't find tooth cement, you can use denture adhesive or even petroleum jelly. These aren't permanent solutions, but they will help to hold the crown in place until you can see your dentist. You should not use any household glues. They are not safe to put in your mouth. They can damage the tooth and crown.

If you've lost the filling or crown, you can put dental cement directly on the tooth surface. This will help to protect and seal the area until you're able to see your dentist.