Dental Emergency

Lost Crown or Filling in Duncanville

Losing a crown or filling is startling, but it's fixable — and often the same day. Don't panic. Call Minty Smiles and we'll get you taken care of quickly.

Call Now (469) 759-6964 → Book a visit

AvailabilitySame-day

Walk-insWelcome

OutcomeQuick repair

InsuranceMost plans accepted

Hero photo · dental repair

Before Your Appointment

What to do before your appointment.

These steps will protect your tooth and keep you comfortable until we can see you.

01 Step 01

Find and keep the crown

If you still have the crown, rinse it gently with water and set it aside. Don't throw it away — if it's undamaged, we may be able to re-cement the same crown, saving you the cost and time of a new one.

02 Step 02

Use temporary dental cement if needed

Pharmacy dental cement (such as Dentemp or Recapit) can temporarily re-seat a crown while you wait for your appointment. Apply a small amount inside the crown and seat it carefully on the tooth. This reduces sensitivity and prevents food from getting in.

03 Step 03

Avoid chewing on that side

The underlying tooth structure without its crown is vulnerable. Stick to soft foods and chew on the opposite side to prevent the tooth from fracturing or worsening while you wait.

04 Step 04

Call us for a same-day or next-day appointment

Lost crowns and fillings qualify for urgent scheduling. Call (469) 759-6964 — we'll get you in quickly. Don't leave an unprotected tooth exposed for more than a few days.

Important

What not to do.

Don't use super glue or household adhesive. These are toxic inside the mouth, can be impossible to remove without damaging the crown, and may trap bacteria against the tooth causing rapid decay.
Don't force the crown back with biting pressure. You can crack the underlying tooth. Seat a crown gently with finger pressure only.
Don't ignore a lost filling. Even without pain, an unfilled cavity exposes the tooth to bacteria and can deepen rapidly. A filling that falls out means the decay underneath has grown — it needs to be addressed promptly.
Don't wait weeks. Every day without a crown, your tooth is exposed. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of fracture, decay, and a more expensive fix.

At Your Appointment

What we do at Minty Smiles.

When you come in, we'll assess the crown and the tooth underneath to determine the best path forward.

Examine the tooth and crown

We'll take an X-ray to check for decay under the crown and inspect the crown itself for damage. This takes about 10 minutes and tells us everything we need to know about next steps.

Re-cement the existing crown

If your existing crown is intact and the tooth underneath is healthy, we clean both surfaces and re-cement the crown using a durable dental adhesive. You're often done in under 30 minutes.

Replace the crown if needed

If the crown is broken, the fit has been compromised, or there is new decay underneath, we'll prepare the tooth and place a new crown. We'll walk you through the process and timeline before starting. Learn about dental crowns.

Replace a lost filling

For lost fillings, we remove any decay that has formed, prepare the cavity, and place a new composite or amalgam filling in a single visit. Learn about dental fillings.

Questions

The things everyone asks.

Can I re-cement my crown at home?

Temporary dental cement (available at pharmacies) can be used to re-seat a crown as a short-term measure while you wait for your appointment. Clean the crown gently, apply a small amount to the inside, and seat it carefully. Do not use super glue or household adhesives — they are toxic in the mouth and can damage the crown permanently.

How long can I go without a crown?

A few days is manageable with care, but beyond that the exposed tooth is at real risk. The prepared tooth structure under a crown is thinner and softer than intact enamel. Without protection it becomes sensitive, can fracture, and is prone to rapid decay. Call us for a same-day or next-day appointment — this is not something to leave for a week.

Will I need a new crown or can mine be saved?

If your existing crown is intact and the tooth underneath is healthy, we can often re-cement the same crown. If the crown is damaged, the cement broke down due to a fit issue, or the underlying tooth has decayed, a new crown will be necessary. We'll assess everything at your appointment and give you a clear answer before starting any work.

Does insurance cover replacing a lost crown?

Most dental insurance plans cover crown replacement on a schedule — often once every 5 to 7 years per tooth. Re-cementation of an existing crown is generally covered at a higher percentage. We'll check your specific benefits and provide a written estimate before treatment begins.