How to Repair a Dental Filling

A dental filling is a medical device used to cover and protect the interior of a tooth with a cavity in it. While these fillings are designed to stay put once they are set into your tooth, it is possible for the filling material to become upset and dislodge form the cavity. If this happens to you and it will be a few days before you can make it back to the dentist for a new filling, you can repair it temporarily yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Surgical gloves
• Dental cement
• Tooth file

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Instructions

• 1

  Clean out your tooth very well with a toothbrush and toothpaste and let it dry. Make sure there is no food or other materials in your cavity.

• 2

  Put on surgical gloves and pinch off enough dental cement to fill your cavity. It's better to take more than you need than not enough. You can remove some if you have too much.

• 3

  Roll the cement into a smooth, round sphere and press it into your cavity until it fills the entire hole. Use your finger to lightly press the cement into place.

• 4

  Close your mouth and try to chew. The cement should be smooth and flat against the neighboring tooth and you should not feel any discomfort when you clench your teeth. Use the tooth file to remove excess dental cement if you feel uncomfortable.

• 5

  Let the cement harden and set before you drink or eat anything.