Filling, Crown or Veneer Fell Out

Lost Fillings in Matthews, NC

Teeth fillings are used to fill holes left in teeth from decay or damage. Most fillings won’t last forever and having them fall out isn’t uncommon. There are many reasons why fillings fall out:

• Tooth decay around the filling
• Teeth grinding (bruxism) slowly wears down the area
• Trauma to the tooth itself or its roots
• Other factors such as hard foods or certain chemical reactions

If you’ve lost a filling it is important to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to avoid complications. Below are recommendations on how to care for your exposed tooth until you are able to have it professionally fixed.

Lost Dental Crowns

Dental crowns falling out should be examined professionally as soon as possible. There are a number of potential reasons a crown can fall out from failed adhesive to decay and oral trauma. No matter the type of crown there is a chance you will have pain or increased sensitivity if it falls out. If an adhesive-attached crown falls out, it will leave an exposed tooth underneath it that is particularly vulnerable to developing cavities and decaying. Many people who lose crowns find their exposed tooth is black because it has untreated cavities. There is no need to panic if you lose a crown, but it is important to schedule an appointment to get it fixed.

Save Your Lost Dental Crown

If you’ve lost a crown make sure to save it. Gently rinse your lost crown to keep it clean, and bring it to your appointment. It is possible that your dental crown can be reused. Below are more instructions on how to take care of your mouth if you’ve lost a crown of any type.

Lost Veneers

Veneers don’t have an unlimited lifespan. Poor adhesive, tooth decay behind the veneer, physical trauma, or simply a long time since you had them applied can lead to your veneers falling out. Cosmetically a single missing veneer can stand out against the rest of your mouth. For that reason, many people are motivated to have their veneer fixed quickly. However, it’s easy to think that since veneers aren’t crowns and are primarily cosmetic that there is no rush to have them replaced or reapplied. It’s important to remember that part of having veneers applied involves grinding away of a small amount of enamel. As long as you are missing a veneer, this ground down area is at greater risk for cavities and further damage.

If you’ve lost a veneer, follow these steps:

• Keep your veneer even if it is in pieces.
• Request an appointment.
• Be careful of increased sensitivity until it’s fixed.