Temporary fillings: how long they last and what to do if one falls out

A temporary filling is a stop-gap, and it is easy to treat it as the end of the matter. This guide explains what it does, what official sources say about how long it lasts, and what to do if it comes out. It also covers temporary crowns and the permanent options a dentist may discuss.

What a temporary filling is

The Oral Health Foundation says temporary fillings protect the inside of the tooth and seal the tooth until permanent treatment is carried out. It also says they reduce sensitivity in the meantime.

The Oral Health Foundation also notes that a temporary filling can tide you over if a filling becomes damaged, giving you time to get an appointment and have it repaired.

The same page says temporary fillings do not last as long as permanent ones, can wear down or fall out, and are more fragile. A permanent filling, it says, is stronger, longer lasting and designed to cope with normal chewing.

How long a temporary filling lasts

According to the Oral Health Foundation, checked 6 October 2026, temporary fillings may last a few weeks or sometimes a few months, and they are only a short-term solution. That is the only timescale the official sources give, so this guide does not offer a longer or more precise figure.

Your dentist is the right person to say how long yours should stay in place, because it depends on the tooth and the reason for the filling. Keep any follow-up appointment you are given, because the filling is only meant to protect the tooth until permanent treatment.

For the first hours and days, the Oral Health Foundation gives this aftercare advice:

• Avoid chewing on that side for several hours after the filling is placed.
• Avoid hard, sticky or chewy foods.
• Brush gently around the area.
• When flossing, slide the floss out carefully instead of pulling it up.

If a temporary filling falls out

The Oral Health Foundation says to contact your dentist as soon as possible if the filling breaks or falls out. It says you may use a pharmacy kit again as a short-term measure, keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side.

It also says to seek urgent dental care if you develop severe pain, swelling or signs of infection. The NHS lists a loose or broken filling among the causes of toothache. The NHS says to see a dentist if toothache lasts more than 2 days, or comes with a fever, a bad taste or swelling in the face or jaw.

The NHS says to go to A&E if toothache comes with swelling around the eye or neck, or swelling in the mouth or neck that makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak. For the full list of warning signs and out-of-hours routes in Northern Ireland, read our guide to toothache and dental abscess care.

If the problem is outside normal hours and you are in pain, the same guide explains how the out-of-hours emergency dental service works. Phone before you go, and do not turn up without an appointment.

While you wait, avoid very hot or cold food and drink if the tooth is sensitive, and brush the rest of your teeth as usual. A sensitive tooth is also covered in our guide to sensitive teeth and their treatment.

Temporary crowns

A temporary crown is a different item from a temporary filling. The NHS says a crown is a type of cap that completely covers a real tooth. It also says it can take some time for the laboratory to prepare a new crown, so you will probably get a temporary one until it is ready.

The Oral Health Foundation says a crown usually takes two visits. At the first, the tooth is shaped and impressions are taken, and a temporary crown is fitted to protect the tooth. The final crown is made in a dental laboratory. At the second visit it is checked and cemented into place.

The official pages checked give no step-by-step advice for a temporary crown that comes off, and no timescale for laboratory work. If one comes loose, contact your dentist rather than relying on general advice. Ask in advance how long the wait should be. You can read about crowns and bridges for background on the permanent version.

Permanent filling options

The NHS says there are different types of filling, including white fillings and amalgam, which it describes as a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper. It gives no figure for how long either type lasts.

The Oral Health Foundation describes white fillings as made from glass or ceramic particles, a plastic resin and a setting agent that hardens the filling. It says modern materials are much stronger and, in many cases, last just as well as traditional silver amalgam. Factors that affect lifespan include where the filling is in the mouth, its size, your bite and chewing habits, and how well you look after your teeth.

Glass ionomer is a material some people ask about. The official pages checked do not describe it, so this guide cannot explain it. If a dentist suggests it, ask what it is, why it suits your tooth and whether it is meant to be temporary or permanent.

Fillings sit within routine care. Our overview of general dentistry explains what a check-up covers. Check that any dentist you see is on the GDC register at gdc-uk.org/check-a-register.

Next step

If a temporary filling has been in place for a while, or has come out, arrange a repair. You can browse practices that list general dentistry in Belfast and phone to ask about appointments.