Dental help - my filling has just fallen out

[Catname]

I had a large filling in one of my molars. At the dentist this week, we agreed the time has come to replace it with a crown and I booked an appointment in January so I don’t have a temporary (filling/fitting?) over Christmas. Typically, I’ve just had lunch, felt a crunch, and realised that my filling has fallen out 🥴

I’ll get in touch with the dentist tomorrow for an earlier appointment but how long can you get by with an unfilled tooth without it causing issues? There’s no underlying decay and no pain currently.

When things such as food get stuck in it, it will cause pain

You can buy a temporary filler from any chemist/large supermarket, doesn't work particularly well but worth giving a try. Like this www.boots.com/DenTek-Temparin-Max-Dental-Repair-Kit-10289944 there are a few different options.

I feel your pain!
My teeth are rubbish. During lock down I had an emergency like this and even the dentist recommended a temporary filler via amazon if it fell out again.
It depends where the tooth is and if you can patch it yourself. My tooth was razor sharp and the temporary saved my tongue until I could get an appointment.
Hope this helps x

Thanks for the pointer. I never knew this stuff existed. Our local Boots is shut today but will see what appointment I can get and purchase some. My filling isn’t too sharp but my tongue will just not leave it alone!

I survived 2 months after a filling fell out in a back tooth, as I couldn't get into a dentist. As it wasn't causing trouble it wasn't an emergency. I didn't bother with the at home fillings though was advised I could try one as a temp solution. I got by with just cleaning gently but thoroughly around and on the tooth, nearly after every meal. And ate on the opposite side.
When I finally got into the dentist she said I've done really well to keep the tooth clean and was able to refill with a filling x

2 months is reassuring and I will be careful about brushing - although I take back what I said about the tooth not being sharp. My tongue will have an ulcer by the end of today since it will not leave the stump alone!!!

@Catname at this point I'd worry more about your tongue than the hole in your tooth 🙈😂 bless you and your tongue. Maybe trying to do a temp filling at home will help a little in this case!! Xx

You are right. My tongue is feeling the pain as I've lost around 2/3 of the tooth. Have just eaten dinner and am conscious that I don't want to open my mouth very far or chew. I foresee a lot of soup and fitting something temporary as soon as I get back from Boots.

@Catname oh op, bless you. I must admit I did live on anything I could that was liquid, just for ease of comfort in knowing I'm not chomping on the tooth! Xx

I had a filling years ago which fell out a few weeks after it was done. As I found having the filling traumatic I was in no rush to get it replaced. It's been a good few years now and it causes me no issues at all so I'm still in no rush.

Just ring dentist first thing and say it's causing you agony they will get you in today

Well, I’ve booked the earliest appointment to have the crown fitted - so I’m off to Boots for a dental repair kit and🤞it works.

@crankyhousewife I admire your resolve but I’d be back today if they could fit me in. I am talking like an anaesthetic in my mouth hasn’t quite worn off as my tongue is ravaged.

You need to get this sorted OP. I have a massive filling in one of my back teeth. It fell out and I couldn't get a dental appointment for a month. It wasn't causing any pain so I just filled it with a temporary filling. Problem is, temp fillings are really soft in comparison to amalgam. My tooth broke completely as it was so weak from where the filling had fallen out. I now have an even huger filling and if I have any more problems will need the tooth removed.

I had a temporary filling that has lasted since last December. The dentist who put it in said it was no different to the kits you buy on Amazon. I’d give them a go first.

currently refusing to pay for any dentistry in this country because I have a maternity exemption I can’t use. I haven’t been able to get an nhs dentist for the best part of a decade. I will just get the work I need done abroad next year.

@BlondeWaves I’m due back in next Monday so hopefully it will all be sorted with a crown fitted before Christmas. Ironically I’d originally put off the first crown fitting appointment till January as I didn’t want to be left with a temporary filling over Christmas and the filling seemed to be reasonably secure.

Anyway, temporary filling from Boots now in situ, I’ve managed to eat a meal, and my tongue is calming down. I am so grateful to PP who advised me of its existence.

@Suprima Annoying you can’t get NHS dental treatment. I am at an NHS dentist but since I want a porcelain crown rather than a metal one, they are classed as private treatment.

I'm glad you've got the temp home filling in, but for future reference.. they sell another cheap type in Home Bargains. Called Toothypegs. I think you can get it on Amazon too. I make sure I have at least one box in my first aid box at all times!

@Choccyoclocky We’ve been talking about how it would be a good idea to take on holiday too, especially as the bottle is so tiny. Thankfully, to date, my fillings have only had to be replaced in a planned manner, and this will be my first crown, but hopefully having it will mean I never have to use it.