Filling fell out

What it can mean

Fillings fall out when decay forms around their edges, when the tooth cracks, or simply through years of chewing. Temporary fillings — placed between visits during a root canal or while a crown is made — are designed to be soft and can come out with sticky or hard food.

In the meantime: keep the area clean, avoid chewing on that side and very hot, cold or sweet food, and if there's a sharp edge you can cover it with sugar-free gum or pharmacy dental wax. If a temporary filling comes out during root canal treatment, call us sooner — the tooth needs to stay sealed.

How we can help

• Replace the filling in a single short appointment
• Check for decay or a crack underneath before refilling
• Advise on a crown if the tooth has lost too much structure to hold a filling