How to Temporarily Replace a Tooth Filling

Fear not. You can temporarily fill a tooth or hold a dislodged crown in place for up to a couple of weeks.

1. Step1

   Look for the early signs of having lost a filling or dislodged a crown: pain when cold air, food, liquids or your tongue touch the tender area.

2. Step2

   Wash your hands thoroughly with antiseptic soap.

3. Step3

   Put on latex gloves if you are treating someone other than yourself.

4. Step4

   Prepare a mixture to use as temporary filling if you do not have a premixed temporary filling compound from your dentist. A standard mixture available with some first aidkits is a mix of zinc oxide powder and oil of cloves, but you can improvise by rolling a ball of sugarless gum, ski wax or candle wax.

5. Step5

   Rinse the mouth thoroughly with disinfected water.

6. Step6

   Apply a drop of oil of cloves (also known as "eugenol") to the hole in the mouth. This will reduce the pain.

7. Step7

   Roll the temporary filling into a small ball and place the ball gently into the exposed area, making certain to cover any exposed tissue.

8. Step8

   Bite down, lining the tooth up with the tooth above or below it.

9. Step9

   Wait for the filling to harden if you are using a premixed filling or a mixture of zinc oxide powder and oil of cloves.

10. Step10

    Evacuate immediately and see a dentist.