Broken Tooth, Lost Crown or Lost Filling: What Should You Do?

A broken tooth, a lost crown, or a
lost filling can happen while eating, following an impact, or simply because an older
restoration has weakened over time. Even when there is no pain, it is important to protect the tooth
and contact a dentist promptly.

Here are the right steps to take while waiting for your appointment and the warning signs that mean
a dental emergency in Montreal should be assessed without delay.

Is a Broken Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A small chip without pain does not always require a hospital emergency visit.
However, it should still be evaluated by a dentist because a fracture can weaken the tooth,
cause sensitivity, or become larger over time.

Faster care is recommended when the fracture is extensive, when the tooth is painful,
or when the inside of the tooth appears to be exposed. Early treatment may preserve more
natural tooth structure and help avoid more complex treatment.

What Should You Do Immediately After Breaking a Tooth?

1. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
2. Save the tooth fragment if you can find it. Place it in a clean container
   and bring it to your appointment. It may also be kept in a small amount of milk.
3. If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean piece of gauze.
4. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek if swelling is present.
5. Avoid chewing on the affected side.
6. Contact your dentist so the tooth can be assessed promptly.

A pharmacist can help you choose an over-the-counter pain reliever that is suitable for you.
Never place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum, as it may irritate or burn the tissue.

What Should You Do If a Crown Comes Off?

A crown may come loose because the dental cement has deteriorated, the tooth underneath has changed,
or decay or a fracture has developed. The crown may sometimes be recemented, but the tooth must first be examined.

• Remove the crown carefully from your mouth if it has come off completely.
• Keep it in a clean container and bring it to your appointment.
• Rinse it gently with water if it is dirty, without scraping the inside.
• Keep the tooth clean and avoid chewing on that side.
• Never use household glue or “super glue.”
• Do not force the crown back into place if it does not fit easily.

If the crown is still partially attached, avoid moving it with your tongue or fingers.
Contact the clinic so it does not become swallowed, lost, or further damaged.

What Should You Do If a Filling Falls Out?

A lost filling can leave a cavity, a sharp edge, or a tooth that is sensitive to cold,
heat, or pressure. The absence of pain does not necessarily mean that the tooth can safely be ignored.

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
• Keep the area clean with gentle brushing.
• Avoid hard, sticky, very hot, or very cold foods.
• Do not clean the cavity with a sharp object.
• Avoid chewing on the affected side.

If your appointment cannot take place immediately, a pharmacist can advise whether an
over-the-counter temporary dental material is appropriate for your situation.
This is only a short-term measure and does not replace a permanent restoration.

Can You Wait If the Tooth Does Not Hurt?

It is best not to wait simply because the tooth is painless.
A fracture, loose crown, or lost filling can expose a more vulnerable part of the tooth.
The condition may worsen before pain becomes noticeable.

An evaluation can determine whether the tooth can be repaired simply, whether the crown can be recemented,
or whether a different restoration is required.

Which Signs Require Prompt Dental Care?

Contact a dentist promptly if you experience any of the following:

• Persistent, throbbing, or increasing pain
• Significant pain when chewing
• Hot or cold sensitivity that lingers
• Swelling of the gum or face
• Fever, feeling unwell, or tender lymph nodes
• Drainage, pus, a bad taste, or an unpleasant odour
• Bleeding that continues despite direct pressure
• A significant fracture caused by an accident or impact

When Should You Go to a Hospital Emergency Department?

Go to a hospital emergency department if swelling in your mouth,
face, or neck makes it difficult to breathe, swallow, or speak.
Bleeding that will not stop, major trauma, or a possible jaw fracture also requires urgent medical care.

How Can You Protect the Tooth Until Your Appointment?

• Keep your mouth and the affected area as clean as possible.
• Chew on the opposite side.
• Choose soft, lukewarm foods.
• Avoid hard, sticky, or very sugary foods.
• Keep any crown or tooth fragment that you find.
• Follow any specific instructions provided by your dental team.

How Can the Dentist Repair the Tooth?

Treatment depends on the depth of the fracture, the amount of remaining tooth structure,
the presence of decay, and the condition of the dental pulp.
After an examination and, when necessary, X-rays, several options may be considered:

• Smoothing a small chipped edge
• Bonding the tooth fragment back into place when possible
• Repairing the tooth with a composite restoration
• Replacing the lost filling
• Recementing or replacing the crown
• Creating an inlay, onlay, or dental crown
• Performing root canal treatment if the pulp is affected
• Removing the tooth only when it cannot be predictably saved

Can CEREC Provide a Same-Day Restoration?

In certain cases, yes. At Dentistes sur Drummond, CEREC technology may allow us to scan the tooth,
design a ceramic restoration, and manufacture it directly at the clinic.
A final crown or onlay may therefore sometimes be completed in a single visit.

This depends on the condition of the tooth, the material required, and the complexity of the case.
A clinical examination is always necessary.

Learn more in our article about

CEREC technology in Montreal
.

Emergency Dentist in Downtown Montreal

At Dentistes sur Drummond, we do everything possible to see dental emergencies
on the same day during the week. Contact us as soon as possible so our team can assess the situation
and guide you toward the appropriate next step.

Dentistes sur Drummond
1227 Drummond Street
Montreal, Quebec H3G 1V8
Telephone:
514-939-2492

Book an appointment online

For additional information, visit our page about
dental emergencies in Montreal.

This article provides general information and does not replace a dental examination,
diagnosis, or personalized recommendations from a health professional.

---

Image Reference

Main image — Patient showing a dental crown or tooth fragment to a dentist
Original image generated for this Dentistes sur Drummond article.

Informational References

• Canadian Dental Association — Dental Safety and Emergencies:
  
  https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/complications/emergencies/index.asp
  
• American Dental Association — Dental Emergencies:
  
  https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/dental-emergencies
  
• NHS — Chipped, Broken or Cracked Tooth:
  
  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chipped-broken-or-cracked-tooth/
  
• NHS 111 Wales — Lost Filling or Crown:
  
  https://111.wales.nhs.uk/lostfillingorcrown/