A filling or crown coming out is startling but usually not an emergency. The main thing is to protect the exposed tooth and get it sorted before it decays or breaks further.
How urgent is it
A lost filling or crown with no pain can normally wait for a routine appointment. Treat it as urgent only if there is severe pain, swelling, or a sharp edge you cannot manage. Do not leave it for weeks though, as the exposed tooth is vulnerable.
Protect the tooth until you are seen
- Keep the area clean and rinse with warm salty water after eating.
- Avoid chewing on that side, and go easy on very hot, cold or sugary food and drink.
- You can buy temporary dental cement from a pharmacy to cover the gap or hold a crown on for a short time. It is a stopgap, not a repair.
- If you still have the crown, keep it and bring it with you, as a dentist can often cement it back on.
- Use paracetamol or ibuprofen for any discomfort.
Never use household glue
Do not use superglue or any household adhesive to stick a crown back. It is toxic in the mouth and makes a proper repair much harder for the dentist.
Getting it fixed and the cost
A refitted crown or a new filling is a normal appointment. On the NHS a filling is Band 2 and a new crown is Band 3, while simply recementing a crown you still have may fall in a lower band. See private dentist prices for the private ranges. If there is severe pain or swelling, call NHS 111 for an urgent appointment.