When you have a lost dental filling or crown you experience an alarming situation. The situation raises concerns about your overall oral health which in turn raise the level of your discomfort. What do you do or rather supposed to do in such circumstances? According to some of the busiest restorative dentistry experts for Loose Filling London. The first thing that you need deciphering in these situations is whether the condition in your hand is a dental emergency. Once you have this clarity, everything else automatically falls in line to make the situation easier to tackle. But first let us explore the reasons why dental crowns and fillings get lost in the first place. We will also cover the consequences that turn up in such situations including the steps. You should take to ensure immediate relief as well as long term solution.
A lost dental crown or filling – understanding the level of urgency and effective solutions
Common causes behind loss of dental fillings and crown
Tooth decay – An underlying decay in the tooth is one of commonest reasons behind a lost dental crown or filling. In course of time the decay keeps weakening the natural structure of the tooth. This compromises the integrity of the dental restoration.
Normal wear and tear – It is quite normal for any dental crown or filling to suffer from standard wear and tear. As a result the dental restorations get gradually deteriorated with time. Grinding, clenching and chewing of the teeth or tooth lead to gradual weakening of the bond between the dental restoration and the tooth.
Sustaining an injury or trauma – Physical trauma or injury received on the mouth can dislodge your crown or filling, says a dentist who handles patients suffering from loose filling in London over the years. A severe blow to the face, an accidental slip and fall and such other incidents can negatively impact your dental restoration.
Dental restorations that badly fit on the tooth – Poor fitting leads to premature loss of these restorations. Even improperly placed restorations in the tooth is another common reason behind their fast wear and tear. It is really crucial to place any dental restoration both accurately and securely in the right position.
Immediate steps to take to ensure relief
Now let us discuss a few steps that you should take immediately when a dental restoration comes loose or gets lost to ensure relief.
Preserve the crown or the filling carefully
When your dental filling or crown becomes loose and comes out from its position you should preserve it carefully. If the restoration is still in one piece it is better to save it in a clean container or a plastic bag. Unnecessary handling is better to avoid for sake of preventing contamination.
Thoroughly clean the area
You have to clean the affected tooth thoroughly along with the inside of the lost crown or filling. The best way to clear away any residual debris of your damaged dental restoration is rinsing the mouth with warm water. This way you not only maintain your oral hygiene but also prepare the tooth or area of the mouth for a possible reattachment of the restoration.
Go for temporary filling materials available over the counter
Temporary dental filling materials are easily available over the counter at chemist shops. These products are a reliable stopgap alternative to cover up the exposed tooth for the time being. This way you provide the tooth with a much needed protective barrier till you can visit a dentist.
Use dental cement for crowns
Dental cement is easily available over the counter at chemist shops. This cement is a tried and tested option to reattach the crown to the tooth although temporarily. This solution is only for the time being and the next best thing you should do after making right use of dental cement is scheduling an urgent appointment with a dentist.
Why you should never ignore a lost dental filling or crown
You should never ever take the incident of a lost dental filling or crown lightly. Let us explore what you may have to go through when you take such incidents lightly.
Sensitivity and discomfort in the tooth
The exposed tooth is likely to become sensitive to cold, hot, sweet and even sour stimuli, explain dentists who handle cases of loose dental filling in London over the years. Moreover the level of both sensitivity and discomfort rises when there is no protection for the already exposed surface of the tooth.
Increased chances of setting in of decay
When a dental restoration is not in its proper place the underlying tooth becomes easily susceptible to further decay and erosion. This provides harmful bacteria in the mouth to invade the compromised area easily and you thus develop further complexities in your existing dental issue.
Shifting of the neighbouring teeth is also likely
In absence of proper restoration in the teeth inform of a crown or filling the alignment of the neighbouring teeth could be affected. In course of time this may lead to different orthodontic problems including issues with your bite.
Gradual weakening of the tooth
A tooth becomes vulnerable in case of a lost filling or crown. Thus gradually the tooth becomes more and more weak and prone to fractures as well as other damages.
Long term solutions for the problem of loose or lost dental crowns and fillings
- To find out the cause of a lost filling or crown it is important to undergo a proper dental evaluation promptly. Based on the evaluation you dentist prepares an appropriate treatment plan to sort out your case. Usually this kind of treatment plans includes replacing the restoration, sorting out the issue of decay and others.
- Fresh restoration is necessary in many of these cases. So your dentist will assess the overall condition of the tooth and get rid of any decay before a new restoration is put in place. This is how both functionality and aesthetics of the tooth are restored.
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- If there is significant damage to the tooth then modern dentistry offers a range of alternative treatments which include dental implant, inlay and on lays, etc.
- Maintenance of sound oral hygiene is important for these patients, explain dentists having years of experience in providing treatment to loosened filling. Sound oral hygiene is helpful preventing any further issue with oral health. Proper brushing and flossing along with routine dental visits at Thousand Smiles London are effective to keep your mouth functioning smoothly as well as looking aesthetically appealing.