What Should You Do If a Dental Crown or Filling Falls Out?

A crown or filling can come loose while you are eating, brushing or doing something ordinary. You may notice a gap, a rough edge, sensitivity or discomfort when you bite. Although it is not always a medical emergency, a lost crown or filling should be assessed because the underlying tooth may be less protected and the reason the restoration failed is not always visible.

If a dental crown fell out or you lost a filling in Canberra, the safest next step is to protect the area and contact a dental clinic for advice. The timing of an appointment depends on your symptoms, the condition of the tooth and whether there are signs of injury or infection.

What to do straight away

1. Remove any loose piece from your mouth so that you do not accidentally swallow or bite it.
2. If it is a crown, keep it in a clean, secure container and bring it to your appointment. A dental practitioner can decide whether it is suitable to reuse.
3. Rinse gently with water and clean the area carefully with a soft toothbrush. Do not probe the tooth with sharp objects.
4. Avoid chewing hard, sticky, very hot or very cold foods on that side until you have received advice.
5. Contact Franklin Bright Smiles and describe any pain, swelling, bleeding, fever or injury so the team can discuss the urgency of your booking.

Why can a crown or filling come out?

Restorations are exposed to repeated pressure, temperature changes and moisture. Over time, a filling may wear, chip or fracture. A crown may loosen if the cement bond changes or if the restoration or supporting tooth is damaged.

Tooth decay around or beneath an existing restoration, teeth grinding, a change in the bite or biting a hard object may also contribute. The appearance of the lost restoration cannot confirm the cause. A dental practitioner may need to examine the tooth and bite and, when clinically indicated, take an X-ray.

When should you seek prompt or urgent care?

Arrange prompt dental advice if the tooth is painful, very sensitive, sharp, difficult to bite on, or the restoration was lost after a knock to the mouth. Seek earlier assessment if the tooth looks cracked or there is increasing gum tenderness.

• Contact a dental clinic promptly for persistent or severe pain, facial or gum swelling, fever, a bad taste, ongoing bleeding or difficulty opening your mouth.
• If you have difficulty breathing, or swelling is rapidly spreading into the neck or around the eye, call Triple Zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department.

Read the clinic’s information about emergency dental appointments in Franklin.

What might happen at the dental appointment?

The dental practitioner will ask what happened, check the tooth and surrounding tissues, and assess the fit and condition of any crown you have brought. They may test the tooth’s response, examine your bite and recommend an X-ray if it would add useful diagnostic information.

Depending on the findings, options may include smoothing a sharp area, placing a temporary restoration, replacing a dental filling, re-cementing or replacing a dental crown, or discussing another treatment if the tooth is cracked, decayed or infected.

Can you wait if there is no pain?

A tooth can be damaged or decayed without causing immediate pain. Waiting may allow the exposed area to trap food or become more sensitive. Contacting a dental clinic soon gives the team an opportunity to ask about the problem and recommend an appropriate timeframe rather than relying on pain alone.

General information only: This article is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dental practitioner who has assessed you. Treatment needs, benefits, risks, alternatives and likely outcomes vary between people.