Regular dental care is recommended to detect potential problems with fillings like open margins or uneven wear. Dental visits can also provide instruction in proper oral hygiene to control plaque, a leading cause of tooth decay.
Decay that forms around the margin of a filling will compromise that restoration. Without regular care, you could suddenly be wondering what to do if your filling falls out.
Good news: most dental offices will have emergency time set aside for lost fillings or other emergency dental problems.
Once at the dental office, an assistant or dentist will review your medical history and question you about your symptoms. An X-ray will be taken, and the dentist will examine the tooth and X-ray to determine the best treatment. If the tooth can be restored with another filling, the dentist will discuss your options for filling materials.
If a referral to another dental professional is warranted, the dentist will guide you through the process. Sometimes, the tooth may need a root canal and a crown or cap to restore the integrity of the tooth. On rare occasions, a lost filling may require the tooth to be extracted.
If the tooth is restorable, the location of the tooth and severity of loss will determine the type of restoration:
Rarely, when your filling falls out, it will reveal a deep cavity or exposure to the nerve of the tooth. In this case, the only option is to have a root canal followed by placement of a crown.
In very rare situations, the loss of a filling or fractured tooth may be so severe that the only option is extraction. If this happens, the oral surgeon and dentist will present a treatment plan to replace the tooth. The options can be a fixed or removable bridge, or a dental implant.
Original content by Donna M. Rounsaville, RDH,BS
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
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