The loss of a dental filling is one of the most common dental problems and one of those that appear without warning. Sometimes you are enjoying a delicious meal and suddenly something solid appears in your mouth out of nowhere. Something that shouldn't be there. Cautiously you remove the discomfort from your mouth, while your tongue travels over the teeth and you find a hole in the tooth and that is where you realize that a filling has just popped out.
Yes, it's annoying, it's frustrating, but it's nothing serious. Most fillings are not designed to last forever, and sooner or later you will need to replace them. However, if they inexplicably fall out shortly after being placed, there may be a problem with the filling itself or the tooth that contains it.
But before going to the causes that cause the fall, we must understand what types of fillings exist and how they are formed.
Types of dental fillings
We can distinguish the different types of fillings according to the material with which it is made. One of the most common is dental amalgam, metallic in color and with a long useful life of 25 to 30 years. These filings are attached to the tooth without a chemical bond.
Recently the amalgams were replaced by resins or composites that are more aesthetic and adapt to the color of the tooth. They are applied through a procedure of chemical bonding to the tooth. They are also used to make temporary fillings to seal a cavity or root canal.
Causes of a tooth filling falling out
Several causes can damage a dental filling. One of the most common is a failure in the adhesion of the material, at the time of placement of the filling. This is because the professional can make a mistake when making the correct chemical adhesion of the resin or composite.
Another common cause is the appearance of a cavity below the filling or in the area near it. However, time can also be responsible for the loss of the filling. The erosion caused by the years of use, added to the bruxism suffered by a large part of the population, can end up considerably reducing the useful life of the filling.
What should I do if I lose a filling?
The first step is to remove all the fragments of the filling from the mouth, even those that have been slightly attached to prevent us from chewing or swallowing them. After this, go to your dentist's office as soon as possible.
If he cannot attend you as soon as possible, be sure to treat the affected area with care. When eating, try to chew with the other side of your mouth and then brush the affected area carefully and rinse with salt and water.
Once the dentist can see the situation, he can assess the best way to proceed to remedy the problem. Subsequently, it is best to carry out an X-ray to see if there is an underlying pathology that needs to be treated.
Options for filling
If the tooth can be restored with another tie, the dentist will evaluate the options available to restore oral aesthetics and functionality. For a molar, premolar, or front tooth, a tooth-colored composite and glass ionomer is the best option.
For posterior teeth, the best option is still the amalgam filling, since it is more resistant, durable and this area experiences a greater force when chewing. However, for aesthetic reasons, many patients prefer a restoration with a material that preserves the color of the tooth.
What causes a tooth filling to fall out?
The loss of a dental filling is one of the most common dental problems and one of those that appear without warning. Sometimes you are enjoying a delicious meal and suddenly something solid appears in your mouth out of nowhere. Something that shouldn't be there. Cautiously you remove the discomfort from your mouth, while your tongue travels over the teeth and you find a hole in the tooth and that is where you realize that a filling has just popped out.
Yes, it's annoying, it's frustrating, but it's nothing serious. Most fillings are not designed to last forever, and sooner or later you will need to replace them. However, if they inexplicably fall out shortly after being placed, there may be a problem with the filling itself or the tooth that contains it.
But before going to the causes that cause the fall, we must understand what types of fillings exist and how they are formed.
Types of dental fillings
We can distinguish the different types of fillings according to the material with which it is made. One of the most common is dental amalgam, metallic in color and with a long useful life of 25 to 30 years. These filings are attached to the tooth without a chemical bond.
Recently the amalgams were replaced by resins or composites that are more aesthetic and adapt to the color of the tooth. They are applied through a procedure of chemical bonding to the tooth. They are also used to make temporary fillings to seal a cavity or root canal.
Causes of a tooth filling falling out
Several causes can damage a dental filling. One of the most common is a failure in the adhesion of the material, at the time of placement of the filling. This is because the professional can make a mistake when making the correct chemical adhesion of the resin or composite.
Another common cause is the appearance of a cavity below the filling or in the area near it. However, time can also be responsible for the loss of the filling. The erosion caused by the years of use, added to the bruxism suffered by a large part of the population, can end up considerably reducing the useful life of the filling.
What should I do if I lose a filling?
The first step is to remove all the fragments of the filling from the mouth, even those that have been slightly attached to prevent us from chewing or swallowing them. After this, go to your dentist's office as soon as possible.
If he cannot attend you as soon as possible, be sure to treat the affected area with care. When eating, try to chew with the other side of your mouth and then brush the affected area carefully and rinse with salt and water.
Once the dentist can see the situation, he can assess the best way to proceed to remedy the problem. Subsequently, it is best to carry out an X-ray to see if there is an underlying pathology that needs to be treated.
Options for filling
If the tooth can be restored with another tie, the dentist will evaluate the options available to restore oral aesthetics and functionality. For a molar, premolar, or front tooth, a tooth-colored composite and glass ionomer is the best option.
For posterior teeth, the best option is still the amalgam filling, since it is more resistant, durable and this area experiences a greater force when chewing. However, for aesthetic reasons, many patients prefer a restoration with a material that preserves the color of the tooth.
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