What Does It Look Like When a Filling Falls Out?

Visual signs in the mirror:

The most obvious sign is a hole or gap on the tooth surface where there used to be a smooth filled area. Depending on the type of filling you had, you might see a crater or pit where silver or tooth-colored material used to be, a dark or gray area inside the tooth (this is often old dental material, staining, or the natural darker color of dentin underneath enamel), irregular edges around the cavity opening, or a tooth that looks partially "empty" where it used to be solid.

The size of the void varies enormously depending on how big your filling was. A small filling might leave a tiny pit that's hard to see; a large filling might leave what looks like a crater taking up much of the chewing surface.

If you had a silver amalgam filling, the contrast is usually obvious—there's now a hole where there used to be shiny or darkened metal. If you had a tooth-colored composite filling, it may be harder to tell visually since the filling matched the tooth, but you'll notice the irregular surface and hollow space.

What your tongue will find:

Your tongue is actually more sensitive than your eyes for detecting this kind of change. Even before you look in the mirror, you might notice your tongue keeps returning to a particular spot. It finds a hole or depression it can probe, sharp or rough edges that feel jagged or catch on the tongue, a surface that feels completely different from how it used to feel, or a distinct gap or pit where the surface used to be smooth.

Temperature and pressure sensitivity:

The inner parts of your tooth (dentin and, deeper, the nerve) are normally protected by enamel and filling material. When that protection is gone, you may experience sensitivity to cold—drinking cold water or breathing cold air causes discomfort, sensitivity to hot foods and beverages, a zing or ache when you eat sweet foods, pain or sensitivity when biting or chewing, and sensitivity to air just passing over the tooth.

Not everyone experiences immediate sensitivity; it depends on how deep the original cavity was, whether the nerve is involved, and individual variation. But if you suddenly have sensitivity in a tooth that was previously filled, that's a strong clue.

Amalgam (silver) filling:

Amalgam fillings are made of a metal alloy containing silver, mercury, tin, and copper. When one comes out, you'll likely find a metallic piece that may be shiny silver, darkened gray, or almost black (amalgam oxidizes over time). It's hard and won't break easily. The piece often retains the shape of the cavity it filled—sometimes with ridges or grooves that matched the tooth's contours. It may come out as one solid piece or may fragment.

Amalgam is heavy and distinctive. If you find a small, hard, metallic piece in your food, it's almost certainly an amalgam filling.

Composite (tooth-colored) filling:

Composite fillings are made of resin mixed with glass or ceramic particles. They're designed to match your natural tooth color, so the lost piece may be white, off-white, or slightly yellow/gray—tooth-colored. It's harder than food but may chip or crumble. It may not look like much—just a small whitish or grayish chunk that could be mistaken for a piece of food, bone fragment, or nothing important.

Composite fillings sometimes come out in pieces rather than as one solid chunk, making them easy to miss entirely.

What if you can't find it?

Don't worry if you can't locate the filling. You may have swallowed it—this is harmless, as filling materials pass through your digestive system without issue. It may have crumbled into small pieces that weren't noticeable. Or it may have fallen out while eating and been discarded with food.

Finding the filling doesn't really matter for your treatment—your dentist can tell what type of filling it was by looking at your dental records and examining the tooth. The important thing is addressing the exposed tooth, not recovering the old filling.

Normal wear and age:

Fillings don't last forever. Amalgam fillings typically last 10-15 years; composite fillings may last 5-10 years, though both can last longer or shorter depending on various factors. Over years of chewing, grinding, and exposure to temperature changes and oral bacteria, filling materials wear down and the seal between filling and tooth gradually degrades.

New decay:

One of the most common reasons fillings fail is new decay developing around or underneath the filling. Bacteria can penetrate the microscopic gap between filling and tooth, causing decay at the margins. This decay undermines the filling, eventually causing it to come loose or fall out. When this happens, the new decay will need to be addressed along with replacing the filling.

Fracture or chipping:

Both the filling and the tooth around it can fracture. Biting on hard objects (ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, pens), teeth grinding (bruxism), or trauma can crack a filling or the tooth structure supporting it. A fractured filling may fall out entirely or may crumble piece by piece.

Large fillings and structural issues:

Very large fillings are inherently less stable because there's less tooth structure holding them in place. When a significant portion of the tooth is filling material rather than natural tooth, the risk of failure increases. Large fillings may eventually need to be replaced with crowns that provide more structural support.

Chewing sticky foods:

Sticky, chewy foods (caramels, taffy, gummy candies) can literally pull fillings out. The sticky substance adheres to the filling and exerts pulling force as you chew. This is especially problematic for older fillings that may already have a weakened seal.

Teeth grinding:

Bruxism—grinding or clenching your teeth, often during sleep—puts enormous stress on fillings and teeth. Over time, this repeated pressure can crack fillings, wear them down, or break the seal.

Step 1: Assess the situation

Examine the tooth to understand what you're dealing with. How big is the cavity? Is there visible decay inside? How much sensitivity do you have? Is there any pain? Are there sharp edges that could cut your tongue or cheek?

This assessment helps you determine urgency and communicate with your dentist.

Step 2: Call your dentist

Contact your dental office and explain that your filling fell out. They'll help you determine how urgently you need to be seen based on your symptoms. Many offices can fit you in within a day or two for this type of issue; some may have same-day emergency slots.

If it's after hours and you're having significant pain, look for emergency dental services in your area. If the pain is manageable, most lost fillings can wait until regular office hours.

Step 3: Temporary protection

While waiting for your appointment, you can protect the exposed tooth with over-the-counter temporary filling material available at pharmacies (brands like Dentemp, DenTek, or Cavit). These products come with instructions for cleaning and filling the cavity temporarily. They're not permanent solutions but can provide comfort and protection for days to weeks if needed.

If you don't have temporary filling material, dental wax can cover sharp edges that are cutting your tongue or cheek. In a pinch, some people use sugar-free gum to cover the cavity (sugar-free is important—you don't want sugar sitting in a cavity).

Step 4: Modify your eating

Avoid chewing on the affected side. Avoid very hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks that cause sensitivity. Stick to softer foods that don't require hard chewing. Be careful not to let food pack into the cavity; rinse after eating.

Critical warning—what NOT to do:

Do NOT use super glue, Krazy Glue, or any household adhesive to try to reattach the filling or seal the cavity. These products are toxic, can damage the tooth and surrounding tissue, will interfere with proper dental treatment, and can cause serious complications. There are no home fixes for permanently replacing a filling—you need professional treatment.

Can usually wait a few days:

If you have only mild sensitivity or no sensitivity at all, the filling was small, there's no pain beyond minor discomfort, and no visible decay or damage, you're likely okay to wait for a regular appointment within a few days. Use temporary filling material for protection and avoid chewing on that side.

Should be seen soon (within 1-2 days):

If you're experiencing moderate sensitivity that's interfering with eating or drinking, the filling was medium to large in size, you have a constant dull ache or intermittent sharp pain, or there are sharp edges cutting your cheek or tongue, try to get seen within a day or two. The urgency increases if symptoms are getting worse rather than better.

Needs urgent/emergency care:

Seek prompt care if you have severe or constant pain that over-the-counter pain relievers don't adequately control, visible swelling in your face, gums, or jaw, fever along with dental symptoms, a bad taste or smell suggesting infection, or difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate infection or other complications that require prompt treatment.

The risk of waiting too long:

A lost filling exposes the inner parts of your tooth—first the dentin, and in deeper cavities, potentially close to or reaching the nerve. This exposed tooth structure is vulnerable to new decay (it can start developing quickly), fracture (the tooth is weakened without the filling), sensitivity and pain (that may worsen over time), and infection (if bacteria reach the nerve). What could be a simple filling replacement can become a root canal, crown, or even extraction if left too long. Don't panic, but don't procrastinate indefinitely either.

The examination:

Your dentist will examine the tooth visually and with instruments. They may take X-rays to check for decay under and around the original filling, assess the health of the nerve, and evaluate the tooth's overall condition.

If the tooth is healthy:

If there's no new decay and the tooth structure is sound, your dentist can simply place a new filling. This is straightforward and similar to getting any other filling—the area is cleaned, shaped if necessary, and new filling material is placed.

If there's new decay:

If decay has developed around or under the old filling, the dentist will need to remove the decay before placing a new filling. This may mean the new filling is larger than the old one. If decay is extensive, a crown might be recommended instead of a filling.

If the tooth is significantly damaged:

Very large cavities or significant tooth fracture may require a crown rather than a filling. A crown covers and protects the entire visible portion of the tooth, providing more structural support than a large filling can offer.

If the nerve is affected:

If decay has reached or approached the nerve (pulp) of the tooth, or if the nerve has been irritated by extended exposure, root canal treatment may be necessary before the tooth can be restored with a filling or crown.

Your dentist will explain what they find and recommend appropriate treatment. Don't hesitate to ask questions about your options, the reasons for their recommendations, and what to expect.