Lost Crown or Filling
Expert emergency dental care in London. Same-day appointments available at our South Kensington & City of London clinics.
Losing a filling or dental crown is a common but alarming event. It often happens while eating sticky foods (like toffee or caramel) or simply due to the aging of the cement holding the restoration in place. Suddenly, you feel a hard object in your mouth and a gaping hole in your tooth.
While this may not always cause immediate agony, it is crucial to treat it promptly. The exposed inner tooth is weak, sensitive, and vulnerable to rapid decay. At Emergency Dentist London, we can often re-cement your existing crown or place a durable temporary restoration in a single visit.
Immediate Steps: What to Do
Remove the loose crown or filling from your mouth immediately to avoid swallowing or inhaling it.
Is it painful? Sensitive to air? Keep the area clean by gently rinsing with warm water.
If you have the crown, clean it and keep it safe. Bring it to your appointment. We may be able to re-cement it, saving you the cost of a new one.
If you cannot see us immediately (e.g., on holiday), you can buy "temporary dental cement" from a pharmacy. Place a small amount inside the crown and gently seat it back on the tooth.
NEVER use Superglue. It is toxic and will ruin the crown and the tooth.
Why Does This Happen?
Decay Recurrence
Bacteria can leak underneath old fillings/crowns, causing the supporting tooth structure to rot and soften until the restoration falls out.
Cement Failure
Over many years, the glue holding a crown can dissolve.
Trauma
Biting on a hard object (olive pit, popcorn kernel) can fracture the bond.
Grinding
Night-time grinding (bruxism) puts immense force on restorations, popping them off.
Treatment Options
1. Re-Cementation
If the crown fits well and the underlying tooth is healthy (no decay), we can simply clean both surfaces and cement it back on with strong, permanent dental adhesive. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.
2. Core Build-Up and New Crown
If the tooth underneath has decayed or fractured, there may not be enough structure left to hold the old crown. We will need to remove the decay, build up the core of the tooth with composite filling material, and likely make a new, better-fitting crown.
3. Replacement Filling
If a filling falls out, we cannot put the old one back. We will clean the cavity to ensure no bacteria remain and place a new aesthetic white (composite) filling.
Risks of Waiting
Leaving a tooth exposed is risky. The dentine (inner layer) is soft and decays much faster than enamel. Within weeks, a simple re-cementation job can turn into a root canal or extraction if decay reaches the nerve.
Furthermore, without the crown, the adjacent teeth may drift into the gap, making it impossible to fit the crown back on later.
If you have a gap in your smile, book a slot with us today. We can restore your function and aesthetics instantly.
Don't Suffer in Silence
Dental pain worsens with time. Immediate treatment prevents infection spread and saves teeth.
Same-day appointments available now.
Real Patient Results
Examples of our emergency restorative work.
Don't Delay Your Treatment
We have emergency slots available today. Our aim is complete pain relief.
Book Same-Day AppointmentTreatment Fees
* Prices are indicative. Full plan provided after assessment.
Flexible Ways to See Us
Available at Both Our London Clinics
Same expert care, same transparent pricing at both locations. Call 020 3137 6356 to book.
Related Emergency Treatments
Meet Our Emergency Dentists
Experienced professionals dedicated to your care.
Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi
Principal Dentist and Clinical Director
Experienced Principal Dentist focused on prevention and complex surgical treatments.
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Dr. Kamran Yazdi
Dentist
Highly experienced in conservative dentistry and patient-centred care.
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Dr. Andreia Phipps
Dentist
Passionate about cosmetic and minimally invasive dentistry.
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Dr. Reza Davari
Dentist
Has a passion for comfortable, long-lasting prosthodontics with a gentle approach.
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Dr. Narges Ameri
Dentist
Expert in prosthetics, cosmetic dentistry, and implant-supported restorations.
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Dr. Ayman Mukhtar
Dentist
Provides expert, comprehensive dental care with a background in hospital-based oral surgery. Excels in surgical extractions and restorative dentistry including fillings, crowns, and bridges.
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Dr. Niknaz Rostam Yazdi
Dentist
Gentle general and emergency dentist with a special interest in nervous patients and children's dentistry. Joining our Marylebone clinic from 1 November 2026.
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Jack Button
Dental Hygienist and Therapist
Clinical Director committed to first-class hygiene therapy.
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Laila Alhussein
Dental Hygienist
Dedicated to promoting oral health and patient comfort in a warm environment.
Book Your VisitWhat Patients Say About Our Emergency Dentists
Our Emergency Dental Clinics in Central London
Two clinics open now in South Kensington and the City of London — plus our new Marylebone clinic at 22 Wimpole Street, opening 1 November 2026. Choose the clinic nearest to you.
South Kensington Clinic
Open 7 days a week
Address
20 Old Brompton RoadSouth Kensington
London, SW7 3DL
Phone
Opening Hours
How to get here
South Kensington Station (District, Circle & Piccadilly) — 2-minute walk
Bus routes 14, 74, 414, C1
Street parking on Thurloe Place & Exhibition Road
City of London Clinic
Mon–Thu 8am–6pm · Fri 8am–2pm
Address
5 Ave Maria LaneCity of London
London, EC4M 7AQ
Phone
Opening Hours
How to get here
St Paul's Station (Central line) — 3-minute walk
City Thameslink — 4-minute walk
Blackfriars Station (District, Circle & Thameslink) — 5-minute walk
Bus routes 4, 11, 15, 17, 26