Emergency Fillings and Crown Repair in Vancouver

When a dental filling falls out or a crown is loose, it can quickly turn into a painful dental emergency. As one of the most common treatments we do in our emergency dental office, it's better to get treatment asap as it can cause more damage. The tooth that lost a filling is no longer protected, which can lead to sensitivity, pain, and a higher risk of infection. Acting quickly helps prevent further damage and restores your ability to eat and function normally.

At our dental clinic in Vancouver, we understand the urgency of your situation and offer same day appointments, effective solutions to restore your tooth, and prevent additional complications.

Fillings and crowns can come out due to a wide variety of reasons. If this happens to you, here is what we recommend you do:

1. Save The Filling or Crown: If possible, find the lost filling or crown and keep it safe to show your dentist.
2. Rinse Your Mouth: Gently rinse with warm water to clean the affected area.
3. Protect the Tooth: If possible, apply dental cement (available over-the-counter) or sugar-free gum to the exposed area to protect it.
4. Avoid Certain Foods: Do not eat hard, chewy, or sugary foods that could make the problem worse.
5. Schedule an Emergency Dental Appointment: Contact one of our Vancouver offices immediately.

There are many ways a dental filling can come out, or a crown can become loose then fall out. Here are the more common reasons why they fall out:

• Decay: New cavities can develop around or under the fillings, weakening the tooth and filling placement.
• Wear and Tear: Over time, chewing and biting can cause fillings to loosen.
• Trauma: Injury to the mouth from an accident or sports can dislodge the filling or crown.
• Eating Hard or Sticky Foods: Foods like hard candies or sticky caramels can pull out or break fillings and crowns.

When you come in to see our Vancouver emergency dentist, the first thing we’ll do is take a close look at what’s going on and figure out the best way to fix it. Every situation is a little different, so your treatment will depend on the condition of your tooth.

If a filling has fallen out, we can usually place a new one right away. Emergency fillings are often done in a single visit, which helps restore the tooth and get rid of that sensitivity fast.

If you’ve lost a crown and it can’t be reattached, we’ll get the tooth cleaned up and prepared, then create a new crown to fully protect it and bring it back to normal function.

Sometimes there’s more going on, like an infection or more damage. In those cases, we may recommend additional care, such as removing the tooth if it can’t be saved, or treating swollen gums or facial swelling to stop the infection from spreading.

Our main goal is always to get you out of pain as quickly as possible while doing everything we can to save your natural tooth.

Dental Fillings: Used to repair teeth affected by cavities or minor fractures, fillings restore the tooth's integrity and function. Materials commonly used include composite resin, amalgam, gold, and porcelain.

Dental Crowns: Also known as caps, crowns cover the entire visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth, providing strength and improving appearance. They are typically made from porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination of materials.

Sudden tooth pain after losing a filling or crown is a clear sign that the tooth needs immediate attention. The exposed area can become inflamed or infected quickly.

Without treatment, this can lead to:

• Severe toothache
• Infection spreading into the tooth or gums
• Structural damage to the tooth
• Increased risk of tooth loss

If infection develops, treatment such as an emergency root canal may be necessary to remove bacteria and preserve the tooth.

To enhance the longevity of your dental restorations:

• 1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly to prevent decay.
  2. Regular Dental Visits: Routine check-ups allow us to monitor the condition of your restorations and address potential issues early.
  3. Be Mindful of Your Diet: Limit consumption of hard, sticky, or sugary foods that can damage restorations.
  4. Wear Protective Gear: If you engage in contact sports, use a mouthguard to protect your teeth from trauma.

Dental emergencies can happen at any time. If your dental filling fell out, your crown is damaged, or you’re experiencing sudden tooth pain, our Vancouver emergency dentist is here to help.

We have two locations that handle emergency dental care. Our dental team is here to help and ensure your dental emergency is addressed immediately and with care.