Broken, Lost, or Failing Filling: What to Do in Atlanta

Fillings Don't Last Forever

A filling may be failing if it feels rough, catches floss, looks cracked or dark at the edges, or if the tooth has become sensitive. A filling that falls out leaves the tooth exposed and should be repaired soon. If the filling is an old silver (amalgam) filling, we replace it using the SMART protocol.

Lost a filling? Keep the area clean and call us. Avoid chewing on that side, and don't use household glue.

Request an Appointment

Call 404-233-1102

Signs a Filling Needs Attention

Most failing fillings are found at routine exams, before they hurt.

  
      Possible cause
      What you may notice
      How it's treated
      Learn more
    
        Recurrent decay
      
          Dark edges, sensitivity, or a bad taste near the filling
        
        Replace the filling
      
        Fillings
      
        Crack or fracture
      
          Rough edge, pain on biting, or a piece missing
        
          Replace, or onlay or crown for larger areas
        
        Cracked or Chipped Tooth
      
        Lost filling
      
          A hole you can feel with your tongue
        
        Prompt repair
      
        Have an Emergency
      
        Open margins
      
          Floss catches or shreds; food traps
        
        Repair or replace
      
        Fillings
      
        Worn or high filling
      
          Bite feels off; soreness after chewing
        
        Bite adjustment or replacement
      
        Fillings
      
        Old amalgam with a crack or decay
      
          Dark silver filling with cracks or tooth fractures around it
        
          Replacement using the SMART protocol
        
        SMART Mercury Removal

This table describes common patterns, not a diagnosis. Your examination determines the cause and the right care.

If Your Filling Is an Old Silver Filling

Removing an amalgam filling releases mercury vapor and particles. That's why we follow the SMART protocol, which uses containment, suction, air filtration, and barrier protection to reduce exposure for you and our team.

A failing amalgam filling needs replacement for dental reasons alone. Some patients also choose to replace intact amalgam fillings for other reasons. Our page Should I Have My Mercury Fillings Removed? explains the evidence and tradeoffs, and Mercury Filling Symptoms explains which reactions are documented.

When to Call Right Away

Call 404-233-1102 the same day if you notice any of the following.

Pain, swelling, or a bad taste around a filling
A lost filling on a tooth that hurts
A large piece of tooth broken along with the filling

When medical care comes first: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading quickly in the face or neck, uncontrolled bleeding, or serious facial injury.

What You Can Do Until Your Visit

These steps can ease discomfort, but they don't treat the cause.

Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and warm-water rinses.
Avoid chewing on that side and avoid sticky or hard foods.
Save the filling or piece if you have it.
Don't use household glue. A temporary filling kit from a pharmacy is acceptable for a day or two.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Every visit starts with listening. We examine before we recommend, and the decision is always yours.

Material and history review. What the filling is made of, when it was placed, and any sensitivities or material concerns.
Examination and indicated X-rays. We check the filling edges, the tooth, and for decay beneath.
Options explained. Repair, replacement, or a larger restoration, and the SMART protocol for amalgam.
Replacement. We place BPA/Bis-GMA-free composite in controlled layers and check your bite.

How We Approach Broken or Failing Filling at Atlanta Dental Wellness

We replace fillings when they are clinically failing, and explain why.
We follow the full SMART protocol whenever we remove amalgam.
We offer a BPA/Bis-GMA-free, tooth-colored composite.
For patients with a history of reactions, biocompatibility testing can add information before materials are chosen.
We are a fragrance-free practice and plan visits around chemical sensitivities.
Both of our dentists, Dr. Cale Jackson and Dr. Matthew Giordano, are SMART-certified and accredited by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT).

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers address common questions patients ask about broken or failing filling. Your examination and health history may lead to different advice for you.

Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on that side, and call to schedule a repair.
It's usually not an emergency unless you have pain or swelling, but the exposed tooth is more likely to decay or break.
Signs include sensitivity, pain on biting, a rough edge, floss catching, or dark edges around the filling.
Many failing fillings have no symptoms and are found on exam or X-rays.
It varies with the material, size, location, bite forces, home care, and diet.
No filling lasts forever. Regular exams catch problems before they cause pain.
Removal releases mercury vapor, so how it is done matters. We use the SMART protocol to reduce exposure.
Our Should I Have My Mercury Fillings Removed? page explains when removal makes sense.
Common reasons are decay under the filling, a crack in the tooth, or a filling that has worn or broken.
Pain that lingers or wakes you should be checked soon.
Options include tooth-colored composite, or an inlay, onlay, or crown for larger areas.
We use a BPA/Bis-GMA-free composite and discuss materials before we begin.