I’ve just had a root canal, why has my filling fallen out?

Fillings fall out for lots of reasons;

If it is the wrong size – If the empty canal has been packed with too much filler material, or not enough, the filling could start to come loose and eventually work its way out of the hole – especially if it is oversized and interferes with biting. Large fillings pose a particular threat to the structure of the teeth, as it can act as a wedge and cause the pressure to be unevenly distributed when you are biting down, this can lead to fractures forming around the filling.

If the treatment has failed – In order for the filling to fully bond with the mineral layers of the tooth, the dentist has to properly prepare the canal, by reshaping it and thoroughly cleaning it – if any moisture or bacteria is allowed to enter the area, this will interfere with the hardening process. By not creating the optimum sized hole, the dentist is setting you up to fail; the filling material has to have enough room to settle properly, otherwise it will be oversized, painful, and it will probably fall out.

If there are other dental problems – Tooth decay, in particular, can cause real problems with root canal fillings, because it compromises the structural integrity of the tooth. If any sections of the enamel or dentin layers are left to decay, the tooth will start to break down, and therefore won’t have sufficient strength to hold together around the filling. When fillings that have been fitted in rotten teeth fall out, they typically take several chunks of the teeth with them, so take care to brush around the filling and to take good care of your teeth overall.

If they are very old – Some fillings can last a lifetime without incident, especially if you look after your teeth properly, but others can succumb to aging and start to loosen as the years pass. This is normally more problematic with people who don’t brush adequately or who put their teeth under unnecessary pressure on a regular basis.

If you don’t take care of it – Eating hard, sticky foods is not great for your teeth in general, but if you choose to do so right after your surgery, you’re likely to have your filling in your hand, rather than your tooth, before very long. It takes several days, sometimes weeks, for the material to firmly bond with the teeth; eating food that puts too much pressure on the surgical site will sometimes literally pluck the filling out of the canal, which can be very painful.

If you grind your teeth – Bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding) is not only uncomfortable, it can also have a detrimental effect on the appearance of your teeth. Fillings and crowns are generally early casualties with this kind of problem, so it’s important to have the underlying issues, such as stress, or depression, dealt with, in order to permanently treat this condition. Mouth shields can be helpful in this type of situation, especially if the filling is fresh, but you really need to consider what is causing the grinding in the first place, if you want to get rid of it completely.

What should I do if my filling has fallen out?

First things first, you need to make an appointment with your dentist, or the local emergency clinic, if you think your condition might be serious. Most emergency surgeries can provide treatment within twenty-four hours, which is great for immediate problems like this, that often pop up out of nowhere. The Pearl Dental Clinic not only offers all day appointments for registered patients, they also operate a twenty-four hour surgery, for anyone who needs assistance, day or night.

If you have to wait to speak to a dentist, there are several things you can do to help yourself and to avoid further issues developing;

Clean after eating – Even if it’s just a slice of toast or a biscuit, you need to get all that food debris out of the vacant canal; it only takes a tiny particle to cause problems. Brush gently around the area in question, and use a mirror to see if there is any obvious build up; if you can’t get right into the crevice, wash your mouth out with antiseptic mouthwash – make sure you swill it around properly, to get all unwanted bacteria out of the hole.

Stick to soft foods – If you are already in pain from your missing filling, you won’t want to be chewing on hard sweets or crunchy nuts, but even without toothache, it’s a good idea to avoid these troublesome solids. Soft foods are easier to clean away after eating, and they won’t add any more pressure to the fragile tooth.

Hold onto your filling – There may be some type of temporary filler alternative at your local pharmacy, but it’s almost always a better idea to leave the treatment to the professionals. Don’t try and put your filling back in the tooth, if it has already come loose and fallen out, it won’t stay put, and you run the risk of swallowing or inhaling it. Hold onto the filling, as it may have some fragments of tooth still attached to it, and your dentist might want to take a look at it – although, chances are, you will need a new one, and your condition will have to be given a fresh assessment.

Take painkillers if you are suffering – Some fillings might not cause you any pain at all, and others may be very uncomfortable, it really depends on the circumstances surrounding the loss of the filling, and what sort of state your teeth are in as a result. If you are experiencing severe toothache, you can always take some over-the-counter medication, it’s not too expensive and you won’t require a prescription – but remember to stick to the recommended dose at all times. There are also some home remedies that have strong cleansing qualities, to keep the area clean until it can be repaired, such as clove oil, a salt rinse, or a tea bag.