{"id":5187,"date":"2026-07-23T12:50:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T12:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drgsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=5187"},"modified":"2026-07-23T12:50:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T12:50:52","slug":"what-to-do-if-you-lose-a-filling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drgsmiles.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/23\/what-to-do-if-you-lose-a-filling\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do if You Lose a Filling"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>

Dental fillings were designed to replace decayed areas of your tooth and protect them from further damage. But although they can often last for over a decade with proper care, sometimes they can loosen and even fall out. If this happens, you don’t panic- here’s how you should handle this urgent situation, and why you shouldn’t wait long to act!<\/p>

Is Losing a Filling a Dental Emergency?<\/h2>

Although it doesn’t happen often, losing a filling can be a stressful scenario. In many cases, people aren’t sure how soon they should have it repaired, if it’s safe to eat with, or even if it doesn’t hurt at the moment, wonder if it will eventually. Thankfully, a lost filling is not a dental emergency<\/a>, but that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t handle it as quickly as possible.<\/p>

What Should I Do if I Lose a Filling?<\/h2>

If you lose a filling, the first thing you should do is make sure your mouth is clear of any pieces of the filling or your tooth. Rinse it well and then brush your teeth to keep it safe and get a better look at it. If the tooth is in otherwise good condition, call your dentist and explain the situation. They can schedule you for the earliest available appointment to have it examined and repaired. In the meantime, you can still eat and drink as usual but be sure to avoid chewing on the side that lost the restoration. You can also use a temporary filling with a kit available at most pharmacies, but don’t rely on this for long, as these were not designed to protect your teeth for an extended period.<\/p>

What to Expect at Your Dental Appointment<\/h2>

Once you arrive at your dental appointment, your dentist will likely examine the tooth in person and may even take some X-rays to ensure there’s no structural damage. Then, if there are no other issues present, they will clean and sanitize it and either create a new filling or take impressions for a larger restoration known as a dental crown<\/a>. If you do<\/em> need a crown, the tooth will need to be reshaped, which includes numbing the area first and then fitting you with a temporary crown to wear until your final prosthetic is delivered from the dental lab. When it’s ready (typically in about two weeks) you’ll return to your dentist’s office once more to have it placed.<\/p>

Remember, while it can certainly be alarming to lose a dental filling, the good news is that in most cases it shouldn’t be painful, and although it’s understandable that you’d want to get your smile healthy as soon as possible, you shouldn’t need to rush to your dentist’s office to repair it immediately. So, if the unthinkable occurs, don’t panic. First, make sure you and your mouth are safe, and then call your emergency dentist for an urgent appointment to get your gorgeous grin back on track!<\/p>

About Dr. Giamberardino<\/h2>

Dr. Anthony Giamberardino<\/a> earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1980 and his dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1985. He is the proud recipient of the Harvard Community Health Plan DIAMOND Award, and an active member of a variety of prestigious oral health organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, and the International College of Dentistry, just to name a few. To schedule an urgent appointment for a lost filling at Medford Dental Wellness, visit our website<\/a> or call 781-396-3800.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dental fillings were designed to replace decayed areas of your tooth and protect them from further damage. But although they can often last for over a decade with proper care, sometimes they can loosen and even fall out. If this happens, you don\u2019t panic- here\u2019s how you should handle this urgent situation, and why you shouldn\u2019t wait long to act! (Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat to Do if You Lose a Filling | Dr. Anthony Giamberardino<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Did you lose a filling? 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