Lost filling

What you may be worried about

• The tooth may break further.
• Food may pack into the space.
• Sensitivity or pain may develop.
• Decay may be present under or beside the old filling.
• A simple replacement may not last if the remaining tooth is weak.

Common patterns people notice

• lost filling
• broken filling
• sharp tooth

Possible causes

• Wear around an older filling.
• Decay under or beside a restoration.
• Bite pressure, grinding or a crack in the tooth.
• A piece of tooth breaking with the filling.
• The filling was supporting a tooth wall that has now fractured.
• Moisture, leakage or repeated stress weakened the seal.

What to do now

• Keep the area clean and avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on that tooth.
• Book an assessment so the tooth can be checked for decay, cracks, or exposed inner tooth structure.
• Use urgent help if there is swelling, severe pain, trauma, or a large sharp break.
• If the edge is sharp, avoid cutting your tongue or cheek and mention this when booking.
• Notice whether sensitivity is brief, lingering, biting-related or worsening.

What to avoid

• Do not try to glue the filling back in.
• Do not leave food packed into the space for long periods.
• Do not assume a lost filling is minor if the tooth is heavily filled or painful on biting.

When to arrange a dental assessment

• Arrange assessment soon if the tooth is sharp, sensitive, catching food, or part of the tooth has broken away.
• Seek urgent help if there is swelling, severe pain, trauma, bleeding, or a large fracture.

What a dentist may need to assess

• Remaining tooth structure, decay, cracks, bite pressure, nerve symptoms, and whether a simple filling would last.
• Whether the lost filling is small and contained or whether a cusp, wall or old restoration has failed.
• Whether the tooth needs temporary protection before a definitive restoration.

Options that may be considered

What we would consider before recommending treatment

• How much tooth structure remains.
• Whether decay, cracks or nerve symptoms are present.
• Whether a simple filling would be durable.
• Whether the bite or grinding pressure contributed to the failure.
• Whether the tooth has enough support for a larger restoration.

A sensible next step

Book an appointment if a filling has fallen out, especially if the tooth is sharp, sensitive or collecting food.

Possible next steps

• A new filling, stronger restoration, temporary protection, root canal treatment, or extraction may be discussed depending on the finding.
• If the tooth is heavily restored, the dentist may discuss durability rather than just replacing material like-for-like.

Common questions