What Happens If a Filling Falls Out?
If you have a filling (or a few) you may be worried about what happens if it falls out. Read on and we’ll educate you on fillings and what your options are if they fall out.
What Is a Filling?
Before we discuss what happens if a filling falls out, let’s go over what a filling is. If you have a tooth that has been damaged by decay, you may need a filling in order to restore the tooth. When you get a filling, the dentist will remove the decayed and infected material, clean out the area, and then fill in the tooth cavity with filling material. The material could be gold, composite resin, porcelain, or an amalgam. By cleaning out and filling the tooth, that tooth won’t be susceptible to further decay.
What Happens If a Filling Falls Out?
If a filling falls out, the first thing you should do is call us. We will find time to have you come in and see us as soon as possible so that we can fix the filling. When you are in the office, we’ll X-ray the tooth to figure out the best way to treat the tooth based on the location of the tooth, how damaged it is, and other factors.
What Happens If the Tooth Is Restorable?
If the tooth is restorable with another filling, your dentist will determine what kind of filling will work best. If the tooth affected is a molar or premolar, the filling will be made of amalgam or composite filling. If the tooth is in the front, such as an incisor or canine, a composite filling will be used so that the filling will appear natural. If there has been extensive loss of tooth and there is not much of the tooth structure left, a crown or cap may be the best treatment option. This rarely happens, but if the filling falling out reveals a deep cavity or exposure to the tooth’s nerve, you’ll need a root canal and crown to fix it. It is also rare for the tooth needing to be extracted, but this also occasionally occurs.
How Can You Avoid Fillings Falling Out?
The best way to avoid having issues with fillings is to practice good oral health care every day. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing at least once a day, and using fluoride toothpaste when you brush. It is also vital that you come in for regular cleanings and checkups so that we can provide a deeper clean than you can do at home and so that the dentist can examine your mouth to ensure that there are no issues with your fillings or any of your teeth. If you have any other questions about what happens if a filling falls out, give us a call today.