Stay calm and find the crown, since a dentist can often recement the same one. Rinse it gently and rinse your mouth with warm water, then keep the crown in a small container so it does not get lost. Avoid chewing on that side and contact a dentist to have it checked and reseated. If you feel pain, swelling, or a fever, treat that as more urgent and seek care promptly.
Lost a filling or crown. Protect the tooth until you are seen.
A lost filling or a crown that came loose happens to plenty of people, and it is usually something a dentist can fix quickly. This page will walk you through how to protect the tooth until you are seen.
Why this matters
This page received a dental billing and coverage review for how it describes coverage and costs. The first-aid steps follow standard guidance.
This page is educational and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Use only temporary dental cement and dental wax, never household glue. For pain, swelling, or fever, see a dentist promptly. Costs are estimates, not a quote. CoverCapy is a patient first dental insurance concierge and PPO dentist network, not an insurance carrier.
Do this now
Your temporary fix checklist.
Quick answer
Keep the crown if you have it, and bring it to the visit. Rinse it and your mouth with warm water. To protect the tooth for a short time, use a temporary dental cement from a pharmacy, never household glue. Cover a sharp edge with dental wax, avoid chewing on that side, and keep the area clean. A lost filling or crown is usually not an after-hours emergency, but it should be seen soon.
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Use only temporary dental cement and dental wax made for the mouth. Household glue and super glue are not safe and can damage the tooth and the crown.
Do not wait too long
Why an exposed tooth should be seen soon.
An exposed tooth does not hold up well over time. Without its seal, the surface can decay further, and new decay underneath is one of the most common reasons a tooth ends up needing more than a simple repair. The exposed structure can also chip or break under normal chewing, and nearby teeth can drift slightly so that a crown no longer lines up the way it should. A crown that has been out for a long time may stop fitting, which can turn a quick re-cement into a more involved replacement. Being seen promptly keeps the options simpler and usually less costly.
At the dentist
What the dentist does.
The dentist examines the tooth and, if you brought it, the crown. If the crown is intact and the tooth underneath is sound, they can often clean both and re-cement the crown in a single visit. If the crown is cracked or damaged, or if there is decay under it, that tooth may need a new filling or a new crown instead. For a lost filling, the usual fix is a fresh filling, or a crown if too much tooth structure has been lost. On cost, treat any figure as a rough estimate only: re-cementing an intact crown is generally a low-cost basic service, a new filling is a moderate cost, and a new crown is higher because it involves new materials and lab work. See how a crown is covered.
When it is more urgent
When to move faster.
Move faster than a routine appointment if you have significant or throbbing pain rather than mild sensitivity, a sharp edge that keeps cutting your tongue or cheek, or signs of infection such as swelling of the gum, face, or jaw, a bad taste, or fever. Swelling of the face or jaw, a fever with swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing are signs to seek same-day or emergency care, since a spreading infection can become serious. See when swelling is an ER matter.
Questions
Lost filling or crown questions.
A lost filling is usually not a true emergency if you have no pain, but it is a problem that needs attention because the exposed tooth can become sensitive or decay further. Cover or protect the area, avoid hard and sticky foods, and book a dentist appointment within a few days. It becomes more urgent if you have severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or signs of infection, which warrant same day care.
You can sometimes hold a clean, dry crown in place for a short time using temporary dental cement sold at pharmacies, following the package directions exactly. Never use household glue, super glue, or any non dental adhesive, because these are toxic and can permanently damage the tooth. This is only a short term measure until you see a dentist, not a lasting fix. If the crown does not seat easily or causes pain, leave it out and store it safely instead.
Many people can wait a few days to about a week for a lost filling or crown if there is no pain, but sooner is generally better to protect the tooth. The longer the tooth stays exposed, the higher the risk of sensitivity, further decay, or the tooth shifting so the old crown no longer fits. Book the earliest reasonable appointment and protect the area in the meantime. Seek prompt care if you develop pain, swelling, or fever.
A dentist will examine the tooth, clean it, and decide whether the existing crown can be recemented or whether a new filling, crown, or other treatment is needed. If decay or damage is found underneath, they may need to remove it and rebuild the tooth before placing a restoration. In some cases an impression or scan is taken so a new crown can be made. The exact treatment depends on the condition of the tooth and is determined during the visit.
Costs vary widely by location, the dentist, and the treatment needed, so the figures here are general estimates only and not a quote. Recementing an existing crown is often less costly than a new filling, and a new crown typically costs more than a filling. Dental insurance or a PPO plan may cover part of the cost depending on your benefits. Ask the dental office for a written estimate before treatment so you know what to expect.
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