Emergency Dentist · SE Portland
Lost a crown or filling?
It happens, and it’s usually fixable quickly. Call us and we’ll protect the tooth and get it restored, often in the same visit.
What to do right now
Until you can see us
- Keep the crown if you have it, and bring it with you.
- Rinse your mouth and gently clean the area.
- Avoid chewing on that side, especially sticky or hard foods.
- If the tooth is sensitive, a little dental wax or temporary filling material from a pharmacy can cover it short term.
- Don’t use household glue to reattach a crown.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed, if needed.
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have swelling that is spreading to your eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever, bleeding that won’t stop with firm pressure, or a possible jaw fracture or head injury.
How we help
Getting your tooth back to normal
If your crown is in good shape and the tooth underneath is healthy, we may be able to clean it and cement it back on. If the crown is damaged or there’s new decay, we can often make a new crown in our office the same day, with no temporaries and no second trip.
A lost filling is usually replaced with a natural-looking, tooth-colored filling in a single visit.
Related: Emergency dentist · Same-day crowns · Fillings
Common questions
Questions we hear a lot
Is a lost crown an emergency?
It’s not usually dangerous, but the exposed tooth is weaker and more sensitive, and it can shift or break. It’s best to get it fixed within a few days.
Can you put my old crown back on?
Often, yes, if the crown and the tooth underneath are both in good shape. Bring it with you and we’ll check.
Why did my crown or filling fall out?
Common causes are decay under the restoration, an old cement seal wearing out, or biting on something hard. We’ll check for the cause so it doesn’t happen again.
Same-day care
Let’s get it fixed fast.
Call us during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM) and we’ll do our best to see you today, whether or not you’re already a patient. Most PPO plans are welcome, financing is available, and our team speaks English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Cantonese and Korean. After hours, leave your details and we’ll call you back first thing in the morning.