Lost Filling or Crown Replacement in Calgary
Lost a filling or had a crown fall out? Tooth Bar in Calgary offers same-day filling and crown replacement. Protect your tooth fast - call for an emergency appointment.
What Happens When a Filling or Crown Falls Out?
When a filling or crown comes out, the tooth underneath is suddenly exposed and vulnerable. The tooth structure beneath a crown is often shaved down, and the dentin under a filling is softer than enamel - both are sensitive to temperature, pressure, and bacteria. What feels like a small inconvenience is actually an open door for decay, infection, and further damage.
At Tooth Bar, we treat lost fillings and crowns as an emergency because they are. Same-day appointments are available, and thanks to our in-house dental lab, replacement crowns can often be fabricated and placed in a single visit - no temporary, no second trip back to the office.
Who Needs Filling or Crown Replacement?
You should call us right away if a filling has come out and you can feel or see a hole in your tooth, a crown has dislodged completely or feels loose, you're experiencing sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods on the affected tooth, you have pain when biting down on the tooth, or you swallowed or lost the crown and the tooth is now exposed.
Even if there's no pain, a missing filling or crown still needs prompt attention. The longer the tooth is exposed, the higher the risk of decay reaching the nerve and turning a simple replacement into root canal therapy or extraction.
Benefits of Prompt Replacement
Replacing a lost filling or crown quickly protects the underlying tooth from bacterial invasion, decay, and structural damage. The tooth structure beneath a crown has been reshaped specifically to receive that restoration - leaving it exposed allows it to chip, fracture, or develop cavities in places that would normally never be at risk.
Prompt replacement also prevents your bite from shifting. Adjacent teeth can begin to move into the space, and the opposing tooth (the one that bites down on the affected tooth) can over-erupt. Even a few weeks without a crown can change your bite alignment.
If you still have the crown that fell out, bring it with you. In many cases, an intact crown can be re-cemented immediately, saving the cost and time of fabricating a new one.
How We Replace Lost Fillings & Crowns
When you arrive at Tooth Bar, we begin with a focused examination and digital X-rays of the affected tooth. We're checking for decay underneath the missing restoration, fractures in the remaining tooth structure, and the condition of the gum and bone around the tooth.
If a filling has come out, we clean the cavity, remove any new decay, and place a new filling - typically tooth-colored composite - in a single appointment. Most filling replacements take 30 to 45 minutes.
If a crown has fallen out and the crown itself is intact, we evaluate whether it can be re-cemented. If the crown is damaged or the underlying tooth has changed shape, we'll fabricate a new one. Our in-house dental lab means we can often complete same-day crown replacement, taking digital impressions, milling the new crown, and placing it within a single visit.
If the tooth underneath is too damaged to support a crown, we'll discuss further treatment - root canal therapy, build-up, or in rare cases, extraction with replacement. We always work to save the natural tooth first.
Throughout the process, comfort is always a priority and we'll walk you through every step before beginning treatment.
Lost Filling or Crown Replacement FAQs
What should I do if my crown or filling just fell out?
Save the restoration if you can find it - bring it with you to your appointment. Avoid chewing on that side. Rinse with warm water and call us right away to schedule a same-day appointment.
Can I just glue my crown back on at home?
No. Over-the-counter dental cement is a temporary measure at best, and improper placement can damage the underlying tooth or trap bacteria. Always have the crown professionally re-cemented or replaced.
How long can I leave a tooth without a filling or crown?
Not long. Within days, sensitivity and discomfort typically begin, and within weeks, decay or fractures can develop. Treat any lost restoration as an emergency.
Will my old crown fit back on?
Often, yes - if the crown is intact and the tooth underneath hasn't changed. We'll evaluate it during your appointment. If it can't be re-cemented, our in-house lab can usually fabricate a same-day replacement.
Will insurance cover replacement?
Most dental insurance covers replacement of fillings and crowns, especially when the loss is sudden. Coverage rules vary, and some plans have time limits between replacements. We will verify your benefits before treatment and bill your insurer directly where possible.
Restore Your Tooth Today
A lost filling or crown isn't something to wait on. Call Tooth Bar right now for a same-day appointment and protect your tooth before the problem grows.
Call us or book an emergency appointment online.