Lost Crown!
Questions Answered by Leading Local Doctors
First off - you are not alone! Many patients have severe dental anxiety that stems from bad experiences in the past. Most dentists will take extra steps in an effort to ease an anxious patient's fear - just make sure you tell them before your appointment.
As for your tooth, again you are not alone. Fillings sometimes fall out, and there are a variety of reasons they do so. Typically a filling falls out because one of three reasons:
1) There is some decayed tooth structure under the filling (a cavity)
2) Some of the tooth around the filling has fractured
3) The filling itself has fractured
Regardless of what caused the filling to fall out, the open tooth is now more susceptible to decay and you should have it looked at by a dentist as soon as possible (especially if you're feeling sensitivity from eating and cold air). They will look at how much healthy tooth structure remains, how much (if any) decay is present, and will evaluate the health of the nerve inside the tooth. In some circumstances, a new filling can be placed if there is enough healthy tooth structure remaining. However, if most of the tooth is gone, the best option will likely be a porcelain crown.
Your tooth CAN be saved! Your best options will come from going to a dentist you feel comfortable with as soon as possible. Fewer options will be possible the longer you wait.
Dr. Brandon Althof
