Emergency Dental Care for a Lost Filling in Clearwater, FL
Losing a dental filling can be disconcerting—one minute, you could be brushing your teeth or chewing on your favorite food; the next, you might feel something unfamiliar and hard rolling around in your mouth. Unless you’ve been in an accident involving head trauma—in which case you should head to the nearest ER—a lost filling is probably not an emergency. But you should still remove the dislodged filling from your mouth immediately and see a dentist right away. For instance, if you lose a filling at night, you should be able to wait until the next day to call a dental office. The emergency dentists at Florida Dental Centers in Clearwater, Florida, will schedule an appointment to see you as soon as possible.
Why Do Fillings Sometimes Fall Out?
A filling serves the important function of restoring tooth structure that was lost to decay. Although dental fillings are strong and can last for many years, they are subjected to a significant amount of wear and tear, just like your natural teeth. Due to stress, plaque buildup, or underlying decay, a filling can wear down, crack, chip, or completely fall out. In addition to possibly causing pain and sensitivity, an exposed tooth can decay quickly or become further damaged. With prompt treatment, you may be able to save the tooth and also avoid the need for a root canal procedure.
How Is a Lost Filling Treated?
At Florida Dental Centers, a dental professional will ask you what happened, examine your tooth, and take an X-ray. In many cases, a lost filling can be restored or replaced. Before filling your tooth, your dentist will clean it to remove any bacteria and decay, then place a new filling to reinforce the tooth’s structural integrity.
If your original filling was very large, we may suggest a porcelain inlay or crown to properly strengthen your tooth, which may provide a better result than simply “filling” it.
Don’t Put Off Treatment
If you’ve lost a filling but are not facing a true emergency, contact Florida Dental Centers in Clearwater, FL. We will provide the urgent dental care you need to restore your smile as quickly as possible.
