Temporary Tooth Filling: What It Is, How Long It Lasts, and How to Care for It
A temporary tooth filling seals a damaged tooth for several days to three months while you wait for permanent restoration. It protects the tooth, reduces pain, and prevents further decay during treatment delays.
Here’s what you need to know right away:
- Purpose: Seals cavities or damaged teeth to prevent pain and infection
- Duration: Typically lasts 1-3 months, though some last only days
- Materials: Made from softer dental cement or zinc oxide compounds
- Care Required: Avoid sticky and hard foods, practice gentle oral hygiene
Think of it as a protective Band-Aid for your tooth while you’re waiting for the real fix, whether that’s a permanent filling, dental crown, or root canal treatment. Your dentist will determine which restorative dental service you need based on the extent of damage to your tooth.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to care for your temporary filling so it lasts until your next appointment, which foods to avoid, what to do if it falls out, and how much you can expect to pay.
What Is a Temporary Tooth Filling?
A temporary tooth filling is a soft dental material placed in or on a tooth to seal it temporarily until permanent restoration can be completed.
Unlike permanent fillings made from composite resin, amalgam, or porcelain, temporary fillings use softer materials like zinc oxide eugenol or intermediate restorative material (IRM). These materials are designed to be easy for your dentist to remove when it’s time for your permanent restoration.
The filling serves several important functions. It seals the cavity to keep out food particles and bacteria. It reduces tooth sensitivity and pain. And it maintains the tooth’s structure while you wait for your next appointment.
Your dentist can place a temporary filling in just one visit, usually in 15-30 minutes. The process is typically painless if the tooth isn’t severely damaged, though you might feel some pressure during placement.
Common materials used:
- Zinc oxide eugenol (most common, has soothing properties)
- Intermediate restorative material (IRM, stronger and longer-lasting)
- Glass ionomer cement (releases fluoride to protect the tooth)
- Temporary cement (for crowns and bridges)
Why Would You Need a Temporary Filling?
You need a temporary filling when your tooth requires protection but permanent restoration must wait for medical, logistical, or treatment-planning reasons.
Dentists use temporary fillings in several specific situations. If you have a deep cavity that might need a root canal, your dentist may place a temporary filling first to see if the tooth calms down or if root canal treatment becomes necessary. This wait-and-see approach can save you from unnecessary procedures.
Emergency situations often require temporary fillings. If you crack a tooth on a weekend or lose a filling while traveling, a temporary restoration protects the tooth until you can return for comprehensive treatment.
Common scenarios requiring temporary fillings:
- Root canal treatment: Seals the tooth between appointments during multi-visit procedures
- Crown preparation: Protects the prepared tooth while the lab creates your custom crown (typically 2-3 weeks)
- Emergency dental care: Provides immediate relief when permanent treatment isn’t immediately available
- Diagnostic period: Allows the tooth to settle to determine if root canal therapy is needed
- Treatment delays: Bridges gaps caused by insurance approval, scheduling conflicts, or financial planning
- Multiple procedures: Protects one tooth while other dental work is completed first
Some patients also receive temporary fillings when sedation wore off before the permanent filling could be completed, or when extensive decay requires staged treatment to avoid overwhelming the tooth.
How Long Does a Temporary Filling Last?
A temporary filling lasts anywhere from a few days to three months, depending on the material used, the tooth’s location, and how well you care for it.
Most temporary fillings are designed to hold up for about one month. That’s typically enough time to wait for a crown to be made, schedule a follow-up root canal appointment, or allow your dentist to monitor the tooth’s response to treatment.
Some temporary materials are stronger than others. Standard zinc oxide eugenol fillings might last only 1-4 weeks. Intermediate restorative material (IRM) can last 1-3 months. Your dentist chooses the material based on how long you’ll need the temporary restoration.
Factors that affect how long your temporary filling lasts:
- Chewing pressure: Molars experience more force and may lose fillings faster
- Diet choices: Sticky, hard, or chewy foods can dislodge the filling prematurely
- Size of the filling: Larger fillings are more vulnerable to breaking or falling out
- Material quality: Stronger temporary materials last longer
- Oral hygiene: Aggressive brushing can wear down the soft material
If your dentist tells you the filling should last two weeks, don’t assume it can safely last two months. Temporary fillings that stay in too long can fail, allowing bacteria to reinfect the tooth. This creates more extensive damage than you started with.
Some people report temporary fillings lasting six months or longer, but this isn’t ideal. The longer a temporary filling remains, the higher your risk of complications like decay underneath the filling or complete filling failure.
What Can You Eat With a Temporary Filling?
You can eat soft, non-sticky foods and should chew on the opposite side of your mouth to protect your temporary filling from excessive pressure.
Your temporary filling is much softer than a permanent one, so it needs gentle treatment. For the first 24 hours after placement, stick to cool or room-temperature soft foods. After that, you can expand your diet slightly, but certain foods remain off-limits for the entire time you have the temporary filling.
Safe foods to eat:
- Scrambled eggs, yogurt, and smoothies
- Mashed potatoes, soft pasta, and cooked vegetables
- Soft bread, pancakes, and oatmeal
- Soup, applesauce, and bananas
- Soft-cooked rice and beans
Foods to avoid:
- Sticky foods like caramel, taffy, gum, and gummy candies (can pull the filling out)
- Hard foods like nuts, hard candy, ice, and raw carrots (can crack the filling)
- Chewy foods like bagels, tough meat, and dried fruit (can dislodge the filling)
- Very hot or very cold foods (can cause sensitivity and expand/contract the material)
- Crunchy snacks like chips, popcorn, and pretzels (can break the filling)
Try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the temporary filling. If the filling is on your upper right molar, chew with your lower left teeth. This distributes pressure away from the vulnerable temporary restoration.
Drink plenty of water, but avoid using straws for the first day or two. The suction can create pressure changes in your mouth that might affect the newly placed filling.
How to Care for a Temporary Filling
Care for a temporary filling by brushing gently around it twice daily, avoiding the area when flossing, and being mindful of what you eat until your permanent restoration.
Proper care helps your temporary filling last as long as your dentist intended. The goal is to keep the area clean without putting too much pressure on the soft material.
Step-by-step care instructions:
- Brush carefully: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle pressure around the temporary filling. Brush twice daily as usual, but be extra gentle on the affected tooth.
- Floss with caution: You can floss near the temporary filling, but don’t snap the floss in and out. Instead, slide it gently sideways to remove it rather than pulling it straight up (which could dislodge the filling).
- Rinse regularly: Use an alcohol-free mouthwash or warm salt water to keep the area clean without irritating the tooth.
- Chew on the other side: Direct all chewing to the opposite side of your mouth to minimize pressure on the temporary restoration.
- Watch for changes: Pay attention to any sharp edges, looseness, or changes in how the filling feels. Contact your dentist if something seems wrong.
- Keep your follow-up appointment: Don’t skip your scheduled visit for permanent restoration. Temporary fillings aren’t meant to be long-term solutions.
You might notice the temporary filling feels slightly different from your natural tooth. That’s normal. It may feel a bit rough or raised, or you might have slight sensitivity to temperature. These sensations typically fade within a day or two.
If you experience severe pain, swelling, or fever, contact your dentist immediately. These symptoms could indicate infection or filling failure that needs urgent attention.
What Happens If a Temporary Filling Falls Out?
If a temporary filling falls out, call your dentist immediately for an emergency appointment, avoid chewing on that side, and keep the area clean until you can be seen.
Don’t panic if your temporary filling comes loose or falls out completely. This happens occasionally, especially if the filling was nearing the end of its intended lifespan or if you accidentally ate something that dislodged it.
Immediate steps to take:
- Contact your dentist: Call as soon as you notice the filling is missing. Most dental offices reserve time for emergency situations like this.
- Protect the tooth: Avoid eating on that side of your mouth entirely. The exposed tooth is vulnerable to bacteria, food particles, and further damage.
- Keep it clean: Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of water) after meals to keep the area clean.
- Manage discomfort: If you experience sensitivity or mild pain, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help. Avoid aspirin directly on the tooth, as this can burn gum tissue.
- Use temporary dental cement (optional): Pharmacies sell over-the-counter temporary dental cement. You can use this as a very short-term fix if you can’t see your dentist for a day or two, but follow the package directions carefully.
Do not:
- Try to reinsert the old filling (it’s contaminated and won’t seal properly)
- Ignore the problem (bacteria can enter the tooth and cause infection)
- Chew gum or eat sticky foods on any teeth (you don’t want to create more problems)
- Wait more than a few days to see your dentist (the longer you wait, the higher your risk of complications)
If your temporary filling falls out and you experience severe pain, swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth, seek emergency dental care immediately. These symptoms could indicate infection spreading from the exposed tooth.
Sometimes a temporary filling falls out because it served its purpose and the tooth is ready for permanent restoration. Other times it indicates the temporary material wasn’t strong enough for your situation. Your dentist will assess the tooth and place either a new temporary filling or proceed with permanent treatment.
Temporary Filling vs. Permanent Filling
Temporary fillings use softer materials meant to last weeks to months, while permanent fillings use durable materials designed to last years or decades.
The two types of fillings serve different purposes in dental care. Understanding the differences helps you know what to expect from each type of restoration.
Key differences:
| Aspect | Temporary Filling | Permanent Filling |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Zinc oxide eugenol, IRM, glass ionomer | Composite resin, amalgam, gold, porcelain |
| Duration | Days to 3 months | 5-15+ years |
| Strength | Soft, easily removed | Hard, durable, bonded to tooth |
| Purpose | Interim protection during treatment | Long-term tooth restoration |
| Cost | $50-$150 | $150-$450+ |
| Placement time | 15-30 minutes | 30-90 minutes |
| Care required | Avoid hard/sticky foods, gentle brushing | Normal eating and oral hygiene |
Temporary fillings are intentionally made from softer materials so your dentist can easily remove them when it’s time for permanent treatment. This makes them convenient but also more fragile.
Permanent fillings bond to your tooth structure and harden completely. They’re color-matched to your teeth (in the case of composite resin) and can withstand normal biting and chewing forces for many years.
You can’t upgrade a temporary filling to a permanent one by leaving it in place longer. The materials are fundamentally different. A temporary filling left too long will eventually fail, potentially causing more damage to your tooth than if you’d gotten permanent treatment on schedule.
Some situations require temporary fillings even though permanent fillings exist. For example, if you need a root canal, your dentist places a temporary filling between appointments because the tooth isn’t ready for permanent restoration until the root canal is complete.
How Much Does a Temporary Filling Cost?
A temporary filling costs between $50 and $150 on average, though prices vary based on location, tooth position, and filling size.
The cost of a temporary filling is generally lower than a permanent filling because the procedure is quicker and the materials are less expensive. However, you’ll eventually need to pay for permanent restoration as well, so budget for both procedures.
Factors that affect cost:
- Geographic location: Urban areas and higher cost-of-living regions typically charge more
- Tooth location: Molars are more difficult to access and may cost slightly more
- Filling size: Larger cavities require more material and time
- Dental practice: Specialists may charge more than general dentists
- Emergency timing: After-hours or weekend emergency visits often include additional fees
Typical cost ranges:
- Simple temporary filling: $50-$100
- Larger or complex temporary filling: $100-$150
- Emergency temporary filling: $150-$250
- Temporary filling as part of root canal: Often included in root canal cost ($800-$1,500 total)
Most dental insurance plans cover temporary fillings at 70-80% after your deductible, classifying them as basic restorative care. Check with your insurance provider to understand your specific coverage.
If you don’t have insurance, ask your dentist about payment plans or dental discount programs. Some practices offer reduced rates for patients paying cash upfront.
Remember that a temporary filling is just the first step. You’ll also need to budget for the permanent restoration, whether that’s a permanent filling ($150-$450), crown ($800-$3,000), or other treatment. Your dentist can give you a comprehensive treatment estimate so you can plan accordingly.
Protect Your Smile With Proper Temporary Filling Care
Temporary fillings protect your tooth for weeks to months while you wait for permanent treatment, but they require careful eating habits and timely follow-up to prevent complications. Think of a temporary filling as your tooth’s bodyguard until the real solution arrives. It keeps bacteria out, reduces pain, and maintains your tooth’s structure during treatment delays.
Most people do fine with temporary fillings when they follow basic care guidelines. Chew on the other side, avoid sticky foods, brush gently, and show up for your next appointment on time. These simple steps keep your temporary filling intact and your tooth protected.
Don’t treat a temporary filling as optional or delay getting permanent restoration. The longer you wait beyond your dentist’s recommended timeline, the higher your risk of filling failure, new decay, or infection. If your temporary filling feels uncomfortable, comes loose, or falls out completely, contact your dentist right away. Quick action prevents small problems from becoming expensive emergencies.
Ready for Your Permanent Restoration?
A temporary filling is just the first step in restoring your dental health. At Comprehensive Dental Care, we provide the permanent solutions your tooth needs, including tooth-colored fillings, durable dental crowns, and expert root canal therapy. Don’t wait until your temporary filling fails.
Contact Comprehensive Dental Care today to schedule your appointment and complete your treatment with confidence.
