A common filling repairs a small to moderate area of tooth decay. Even though they are intended to be durable and last for a long time, it’s not uncommon for a filling to be lost or missing. As a general rule of thumb the older and larger a filling is, the more likely it is to fall out or have the cement anchoring it place fail.

In some cases, you might not even notice when the filling comes out. At the same time, you might be eating a meal, bite down on something and suddenly the filling comes loose. There is little rhyme or reason to when this happens.

If you lose a filling, or you notice a problem with an old filling you should call Dr. Jeff Davidson as soon as possible. If the problem isn’t addressed quickly, it could develop into something serious. If the missing filling was small Dr. Jeff Davidson can often repair the area by simply removing a small amount of additional enamel and cementing a new filling in place.

If you lose a large filling, or the decay has simply compromised too much enamel to secure a new filling, then Dr. Jeff Davidson might recommend that the tooth be fitted for a crown.

If you have recently lost a filling, you need to call Dr. Jeff Davidson at 406-363-4010 as soon as possible, to schedule an appointment.