Temporary Filling: What It Is and How Long It Lasts

The commonest case is a root canal that is done over more than one visit. The canal has been cleaned and the tooth is closed with a temporary seal until the next appointment, when the canals are filled and the tooth is restored. The steps are laid out in root canal treatment steps.

It is also used to settle a tooth. When decay is very deep and the nerve is irritated, the dentist may remove the softest decay and place a soothing material to give the tooth time to calm down before deciding between a permanent filling and a root canal. That choice is covered in filling or root canal.

Other uses are emergencies, such as a broken tooth or a lost filling that cannot be fully repaired on the day, and waiting for a crown or inlay to be made in the laboratory.

In every one of these cases the temporary buys time. The plan for what comes next should be clear before you leave the chair, so ask what the next step is and roughly when it should happen.

Temporary materials are chosen because they are quick to place, easy to remove and kind to the tooth, not because they are strong. Zinc oxide based pastes and cements are common, and some contain eugenol, which has a soothing effect on an irritated nerve. Glass ionomer is also used, and a light-cured temporary resin is another option.

These are softer than a final filling and wear down quickly. Some are also slightly porous, which is why saliva and bacteria can slowly seep around them. The material and its purpose are different from the permanent materials in types of dental fillings.

Plan on weeks, not years. A temporary is designed for a gap of days to a few weeks, and it can crumble or loosen sooner, particularly on a biting surface. Some are meant to be taken out again at the next visit.

The risk of leaving one in place is real. As it wears, a gap opens at the edge, bacteria get in and decay starts underneath, and a root canal that was disinfected can become reinfected. A weakened tooth under a temporary can also fracture. If the appointment for the permanent restoration has been postponed, tell the clinic rather than waiting.

Nothing about a temporary filling is a verdict on the tooth. It is simply the stage the treatment is at, and the tooth is not safe to leave at that stage indefinitely.

Do not chew on that side if you can avoid it, and keep away from hard, crunchy and sticky foods such as nuts, ice, toffee and chewing gum. Do not use the tooth to bite into anything tough.

Brush normally and gently, and clean the gum line. When flossing near it, slide the floss out sideways rather than snapping it back up between the teeth, so you do not dislodge the filling. Some people notice a slightly different taste or a rough feel at first, which is the material, not a sign of a problem.

A little tenderness or sensitivity is expected for a few days. Pain that is increasing, a lingering ache, swelling, or a bad taste should be checked sooner.

It happens, since the material is soft. Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on that tooth, and call the clinic to be seen soon. Our guide on what to do if a filling falls out covers the steps, including pharmacy temporary cement for a short stopgap.

If the tooth is part way through a root canal, do not leave it, because the canals are open to the mouth and can be reinfected. Same-day care is needed for swelling that spreads across the face, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, and a hospital emergency department if breathing or swallowing is affected.

Once the nerve has settled or the root canal is finished, the temporary comes out and the tooth gets its final repair. That is a bonded filling, an inlay, or a crown when a lot of tooth is missing. The tooth fillings page explains how the permanent filling is done, and the teeth filling cost page shows what Lucknow ranges look like. Ask the clinic whether the temporary is charged separately, since policies differ.

The aim throughout is to move from the short-term seal to the lasting repair without a long gap in between, so book the next visit before you leave if you can.