---
title: "What Is Lost filling? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A lost filling is a filling that has fallen out or broken, leaving a hole in the tooth. Sugarless gum or dental cement can cover it until you see a dentist."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/lost-filling
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Emergency

# Lost filling

A lost filling is a filling that has fallen out or broken, leaving a hole in the tooth. Sugarless gum or dental cement can cover it until you see a dentist.

Sometimes old dental restorations can fall out or become dislodged. A lost filling leaves the inside of the tooth open to food, bacteria, and temperature changes. It may cause pain or sensitivity, but sometimes it does not.

Cleveland Clinic suggests that if you have a broken or missing filling, you can stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity or use an over-the-counter dental cement. Sugar-filled gum will cause pain. See your dentist as soon as possible. The tooth may need a new [filling](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-filling) or a [crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-crown).

A [temporary filling](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/temporary-filling) may be placed first. Do not wait until it hurts, because decay can grow in an open tooth. See the [dental fillings](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-fillings) page for the practice's own description.

[Town Center Dental can helpDental Fillings](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-fillings)

## Related terms

-   [Dental filling](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-filling)
-   [Temporary filling](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/temporary-filling)
-   [Dental crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-crown)
-   [Cavity (dental caries)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/cavity-dental-caries)
-   [Tooth sensitivity](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-sensitivity)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: What Is a Dental Emergency and Where To Go for Care](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11368--dental-emergencies-what-to-do)
2.  [Cleveland Clinic: What Is a Dental Emergency and Where To Go for Care](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11368--dental-emergencies-what-to-do)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)