I've lost a filling, Is this urgent?

I’ve lost a filling, Is this urgent?

Fillings serve an important function in oral health by restoring tooth structure lost to the decay process. With the materials we use today, dental fillings usually last for many years, but they are subjected to the same stresses as your natural teeth are. Fillings don’t strengthen the tooth, they simply replace lost structure.

You can wear down, chip, crack, or break your fillings by eating, clenching, and grinding, and sometimes they can fall out completely. While you may not notice normal wear and tear, you should not ignore any fillings that loosen or fall out.  A lost or cracked filling is usually not an urgent emergency unless you are in pain but the longer you wait, the more complex and expensive the repair may become! An exposed tooth can decay quickly and turn into the need for a root canal.

Once you come to our office, we will examine your tooth and advise you of your options. We may be able to replace the filling. If the filling was large, a porcelain inlay or crown may be necessary to properly strengthen the tooth instead of just “filling” it which doesn’t strengthen it much.

A lost or cracked filling may not always pose a dental emergency, but it’s always important to contact us so our team can help you take the proper action to preserve your oral health.

For more information, you can contact Dr. Michael Krochak at

drk@nycsmilespa.com

NYC Smile Spa

30 E. 60th St., Rm 1201

New York, NY 10022

(212) 838-2900

Relax and smile!