The sudden loss of a filling can cause discomfort, pain, and increased sensitivity. The tooth becomes vulnerable to decay or damage. Immediate action is needed to avoid further complications.
The Chief Physician of the clinic will explain why a filling might fall out, and how to protect the tooth from damage. He provides a list of temporary and permanent solutions for the loss of filling material, as well as how to care for a filled tooth.
Table of Contents
Is it normal for a filling to fall out?
If the filling material chips off when its service life has ended, there's no need to worry – this is normal. However, the decay of dentin can cause a filling to fall out earlier, which can pose a real problem.
In any case, to avoid the loss of a filling, it's essential to visit the dentist regularly and monitor its condition.
Everything has its lifespan:
- Dental cement lasts no more than 3-5 years.
- Photopolymer materials last 10-15 years.
- Ceramic and light-cured ionomer compounds serve up to 15 years.
The exact lifespan can be determined by the dentist after the tooth is filled. However, with proper care, dental materials can last longer.
Signs that a filling is about to fall out
- Discomfort
Pain, feelings of discomfort, a sensation of fullness, or heightened sensitivity to cold and hot foods in the filled tooth.
- Appearance of cracks or bite issues
The filling becomes unstable, wobbling when touched by the tongue.
- Feeling of a "high point"
A protrusion has appeared on the filled tooth, interfering with the jaw closing properly.
- Splitting of the filling material
During meals, you feel yourself grinding on tiny particles that feel like sand.
Why does a filling fall out? – 7 reasons
- Wear and tear
After reaching its lifespan, dental material loses its strength, degrades faster under chewing stress, and detaches from tooth tissues.
- Trauma
Mechanical damage can lead to micro-cracks and voids in the filling material and enamel.
- Material hardening issues
Dental cement will not harden if the patient ignores the dentist's recommendations – do not eat or drink for 1-2 hours after the procedure.
- Too large a cavity
After hardening, the composite contracts, resulting in a significant part of the load falling on the enamel and dentin. This leads to "internal tension," causing the filling material to fall out, and the tooth may completely crumble.
- Caries developing under the filling material
Due to mechanical damage, poor hygiene, or non-adherence to doctor's recommendations, the sealed tooth's integrity might be compromised. Pathogenic bacteria and infections infiltrate the emerging voids, developing under the filling material.
- Inadequate hygiene
Due to subpar care, plaque and tartar accumulate on the enamel. This can initiate the development of caries on the enamel surface.
- Doctor's mistakes
Placing different materials out of order might cause a filling to not fully harden, or pockets of caries might remain under the material.
Dr. B. Lipovetskiy
Actions to take if a filling falls out:
You should immediately visit a dental clinic to prevent infections and bacteria from entering the tooth cavity. At the Solea Dental Spa clinic, we provide assistance promptly. This is your best option if your dentist cannot see you immediately.
Stages and Methods of Treatment
1. Examination and Diagnostics
- Initially, the specialist examines your dental history – determining when the filling material fell out, how long it had held, and how many filling procedures had been done previously. Typically, a tooth can withstand 2-3 fillings since its walls thin out each time.
- The mouth cavity is examined to assess the integrity of adjacent teeth and the presence of infection foci. The filled area is checked. If the tooth is more than 50% damaged, it's better not to fill it again. In this case, the doctor will suggest placing a crown.
- An X-ray of a specific area or an orthopantomogram is prescribed to check the state of the pulp, root canals, and determine if there's inflammation or infection inside the tooth.
2. Tooth Preparation
The dentist:
- Administers local anesthesia around the dental root to numb the area of the procedure.
- Performs professional oral hygiene: cleans dental plaque and tartar.
- Prepares the tooth, which means clearing areas damaged by cavities and remnants of the filling material.
- Smooths out any enamel irregularities that might cause discomfort to the patient. Disinfects the tooth and applies fluoride-containing agents for reinforcement. Then, he applies a high-acid content solution to make the dental surface more roughened, ensuring better adhesion of the dental material.
- Isolates the tooth to prevent moisture from entering its cavity. If the tooth nerve hasn't been removed, the dentist administers local anesthesia to the dental root area.
3. Addressing the Specific Clinical Situation
Depending on the circumstances, the dentist may either re-fill the tooth or choose another method to restore it. The following bullet points will go into more detail regarding different clinical situations.
1. The filling fell out immediately, within a few days of procedure
The dentist determines the reason for the filling falling out:
- If the cause can be addressed, the dentist cleans the remains of the filling material, conducts the necessary treatment, and refills the tooth.
- If not, the dentist will suggest another restoration method. For instance, if the cavity is too large, an inlay or a crown might be required.
2. An old filling fell out
From the x-ray, the dentist checks the extent of tooth damage and the presence of new inflammations and infections. If possible, a new filling material is applied. If more than 50% of the tooth is damaged, the dentist prepares it to support a crown.
3. The filling fell out, the canals are sealed
The specialist examines the state of the canals: whether there's an infection and how hermetically they are sealed. Tooth restoration is possible if there are no issues with the canals; otherwise, treatment will be required.
4. The filling fell out, and you are not experiencing pain in the tooth
If it's a superficial filling, the dentist cleans the enamel of dental material remnants and places a new filling.
5. A temporary filling fell out
It is essential to visit the dentist immediately after a temporary filling falls out. If the treatment is not yet complete, the dentist will re-fill the tooth. If that option is not required, a permanent filling will be placed.
6. The filling fell out, and a piece of tooth chipped
If the enamel chip is small, the dentist selects the appropriate dental material and refills the tooth.
7. The filling fell out during pregnancy
The dentist conducts a comprehensive dental treatment. If procedures other than fillings are required, there might be limitations during the third trimester. In this case, the dentist places a temporary filling and postpones all other procedures.
4. Follow-Up Examination
After refilling, the dentist sets a date for a follow-up examination to ensure that the dental material completely fills the cavities. In the future, it's recommended to visit the clinic every six months, allowing the dentist to timely prevent the deterioration of the filling material or dentin and enamel.
What should I do if my filled tooth has broken?
The dentist will remove remnants of the filling material and enamel fragments:
- If more than half of the tooth is damaged, the dentist will grind it down and place a crown.
- If more than two walls of the tooth are chipped, the dentist will fill the canals and place a post and core.
- If there's a crack in the root or other damages, and the tooth cannot be saved, it will be extracted and an implant will be placed.
What can you do at home?
All home remedies are not treatments but temporary measures before seeing a dentist. They do not address the underlying cause of the problem but only delay its onset and alleviate pain.
What can you rinse with?
After a filling has fallen out and before you see a dentist, you can use:
- Antiseptics like Miramistin or Chlorhexidine (0.05 – 0.1%) twice daily;
- Baking soda or salt solution (1 teaspoon in 6.8 oz/200 ml of water) with a 2-hour interval between rinses;
- Sage infusion (1 tablespoon of dried sage in 8.5 oz/250 ml boiling water, steep for 20-30 minutes, then strain) 3 to 5 times daily;
- Calendula infusion (1 teaspoon of calendula tincture in 8.5 oz/250 ml of warm water) about 5-6 times daily;
- Chamomile infusion (1 teaspoon of dried chamomile in 8.5 oz/250 ml boiling water, steep for 20-30 minutes) 5 to 7 times daily.
Only use room temperature solutions.
How do I cover the tooth cavity?
When eating, you can cover the cavity with a piece of gauze and try to chew on the other side.
Do not insert anything into the cavity where the filling was. This "plug" can cause particles to get trapped inside, potentially intensifying inflammation and causing discomfort or pain.
What should I do if it hurts?
Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They reduce swelling and alleviate pain, and you can purchase them over-the-counter. Suitable options include: ibuprofen, Nurofen, Ketanov, and etc.
Each package comes with its own instructions for use. Do not crush the tablet and apply the powder directly to the cavity; this method can actually intensify the pain and inflammation.
How do I clean the tooth?
You can use a regular toothbrush, but don't intentionally try to scrub the cavity. Be gentle to avoid damaging the dentin.
Can you chew with a tooth that's lost its filling?
No, you should reduce any pressure on it. Without the filling material, cavities form inside the tooth, making it more fragile and prone to chipping from chewing.
Can I apply a compress?
No, do not apply poultices or compresses, as they can damage the dentin and tooth nerve.
Prevention of Filling Dislodgement
- Use fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and a water flosser. This will strengthen the enamel and ensure more thorough cleaning.
- Avoid biting hard food, nails, pens, and pencils. Excessive pressure can lead to micro-cracks in the filled area and the enamel.
- Treat dental diseases promptly. Filling materials last much longer in healthy dental tissues.
- Avoid drastic temperature changes: from icy to hot food. Such changes can cause micro-cracks in the filling material.
- Try not to grind your teeth. If you do, consult a dentist for guidance on bruxism.
It's essential to visit your dentist at least twice a year. The dentist will spot issues in time, and if a filling is already worn out, they will replace it before it falls out.
It's also crucial to have professional teeth cleaning every six months. This procedure helps to remove plaque even from the hardest-to-reach places.
What shouldn't you do when a filling falls out?
- Do not try to clean the cavity with a toothpick, brush, or any other tools.
- Avoid covering a tooth that is oozing pus.
- Do not attempt to reattach the fallen filling, glue it back, or secure it by other means.
- Refrain from placing medications inside the cavity, like crushed painkiller tablets.
- Do not seal the hole using cotton or chewing gum.
Dr. B. Lipovetskiy
What are the consequences if a new filling is not placed?
Food remnants, harmful bacteria, and infections can penetrate inside the tooth. A patient won't be able to fully clean the filled cavity on their own, so over time, the tooth can begin to decay and break down from the inside.
The dentin, a softer and more sensitive layer beneath the enamel, might also get damaged. The more the tooth deteriorates, the more work will subsequently be required by the dentist. For instance:
- If you visit the dentist immediately, a simple refilling might suffice.
- If you wait for several weeks, the tooth might develop cracks and chipping. In such a case, the dentist would have to reshape the tooth and place a crown. If a significant portion of the tooth is destroyed, a dental inlay, like E-max, might be necessary.
- Ignoring the issue completely can result in the damage extending to the tooth's root. In this case, the tooth might need to be extracted, and a dental implant may be required.
Q&A
It's best to get the tooth repaired as soon as possible. At Solea Dental Spa dentistry, doctors attend to such situations immediately, especially if you're experiencing pain or any other discomfort.
Yes, this can occur if the tooth's nerve has already been removed or if the decay hasn't yet reached the pulp – the central part of the tooth containing nerve and blood vessels.
No, if the filling material is firmly fixed in the tooth, floss won't break it. However, if you're not careful with the floss, it might catch and damage the edges of the filling.
Yes, poor oral hygiene or substandard work by the dentist can cause a cavity to develop under the filling. Signs of cavity development include changes in enamel color, pigmentation around the filling material, pain in the filled tooth, or a sharp reaction to sharp, sweet, sour, cold, or hot substances.
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