I need help with a broken or lost filling
Broken or lost filling - Auckland, St Heliers. Learn what to do if your filling breaks or falls out
It can be alarming when a filling breaks, but there’s no need to panic. We can easily restore your tooth to full strength.
How do I know I have a broken or lost filling?
It’s not always obvious when you break or lose a filling. If part of the filling falls out while you are eating, you might feel it in your mouth or hear a crack when you bite down. But sometimes you can swallow it without realising. In that case, telltale signs are pain in the affected tooth or sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks. You might also notice that your tooth suddenly feels a different shape or has sharp edges that rub on your inner cheek or tongue. You may be able to see a crack in your filling, or that some of it is missing.
Why do I have a broken or lost filling?
There are lots of reasons you might break or lose a filling. Fillings have a limited lifespan and will suffer from natural wear and tear as the years pass until it is time to replace them. Chewing hard food or grinding your teeth can speed up a filling’s deterioration. Sometimes your tooth will develop additional decay around the filling that breaks the bond holding it in place. If you suffer an injury to your mouth or face, it can break a filling or weaken it so that something innocuous, like biting an apple, is enough to finish the job.
What treatments are available for broken or lost fillings?
At Natural Smile, we have advanced dental treatments to replace lost or broken fillings quickly and painlessly.
Common questions about broken or lost fillings
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It can be a bit of a shock if you notice your filling break or fall out, but it is not a dental emergency. Your tooth might be a bit more sensitive or painful until it is fixed. However, if you are in severe pain, please contact us right away for an emergency appointment.
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Ideally you should make an appointment as soon as possible so we can replace the filling and prevent further damage to your tooth. Because the old filling is no longer forming a protective barrier, your tooth will be susceptible to decay. The filling may also have been providing your tooth with important structural support.
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The best thing to do is book an appointment so we can replace your filling as quickly as possible. In the meantime, avoid hot or cold food and drink if your tooth is sensitive, and take over-the-counter pain medication if needed. If you have lost a large filling, try not to chew anything hard with that tooth.
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The cost of replacing your lost or broken filling will depend on the size of the filling. We’ll let you know how much your new filling will cost and discuss which payment options suit you best.
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Eventually fillings wear out, but you can help to prolong their life with good oral hygiene to prevent decay getting in around the margins, wearing a mouthguard when playing contact sports, and avoiding extremely hard foods. If you grind your teeth at night, come and see us about getting that treated, so it doesn’t damage your teeth and fillings.
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At Natural Smile, we aim to make every treatment fast, painless, and stress free. We use minimally invasive dental technology to ensure that every procedure is comfortable, effective, and long-lasting. If you have any worries about your treatment, we’re happy to talk them through with you.