Can a Dentist Put In a Temporary Filling? Yes, Here’s What You Need to Know
Table of Contents
- Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM)
- Glass Ionomer Cements
- Composite Resin
- Other Provisional Materials
What Exactly Is a Temporary Dental Filling?
I’ll get straight to it: a temporary dental filling is a short-term cover your dentist puts in to protect your tooth until a more permanent fix can be done. I remember the first time I needed a temp filling—my tooth was throbbing before a family get-together. The dentist stopped the pain and kept my tooth covered, even if the real fix had to wait.
A temporary filling doesn’t work like a regular filling. It covers up holes, keeps the soft part of the tooth safe, and stops germs from getting in until you’re ready for a proper filling, crown, or something else. From what I’ve seen, the main difference is how long it lasts. Real fillings can last years, but temp ones are only for some days, weeks, or maybe a few months.
In short, temporary fillings give you time. It’s like a quick pit stop before a real repair.
Primary Reasons a Dentist Places a Temporary Filling
You might wonder, “Why not just fix it for good right away?” I thought the same. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time to do everything, or your tooth needs a break to get better before more work. Here are the main reasons I’ve seen or had for getting a temporary filling.
Emergency Dental Care
Imagine biting down on something hard and your filling cracks, or your tooth breaks. The pain can be really strong, and the inside of your tooth is now wide open. When this happened to me, my dentist said that temporary dental fillings give quick relief by sealing that soft spot and calming the pain.
Other reasons why you might need one fast:
- A filling or crown pops out and leaves the tooth uncovered.
- Sudden sharp pain from a deep cavity.
- A chip or crack that needs to stay protected from germs and pain.
Temporary fillings are like sticky bandages—they cover up the spot until you can get back for a better fix.
As an Interim Step in Multi-Stage Treatments
Big dental work almost never gets done in just one go. I remember my root canal took a few visits. After the first one, my dentist put in a temp filling to keep the tooth closed while I waited for the next step.
Some reasons you might get one:
- After a root canal, when the tooth needs to stay sealed until you get a crown.
- When a tooth is being made ready for a crown, inlay, or onlay, but the dental lab is still making the custom piece (sometimes digital dental labs can finish this faster for your dentist).
- When a badly hurt or decayed tooth needs to rest with a soothing filling to calm the pulp before deciding what next.
Here, the temp filling is like a warm-up coat before the game—it keeps things safe and cozy.
Diagnosing Tooth Response
Sometimes your dentist just needs to know how your tooth will react after cleaning out decay or making a deep fix. By putting in a temporary filling, they can see if you get better or if you still hurt. If you feel fine at your next visit, you’re ready for a permanent filling. If not, there could be a bigger problem inside, and you might need a different treatment.
I’ve seen this happen—sometimes the pain goes away, sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, the temp filling gives the dentist time to see what’s really going on.
Common Types of Temporary Filling Materials Used by Dentists
Not all temp fillings are made from the same stuff—your dentist picks what’s best for you based on what your tooth needs, how long the filling must last, and your health. Here are the most common types I’ve had and what they do.
Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM)
I’ve had a lot of IRM used for me because I like to crunch on hard foods. IRM usually means a kind of zinc paste with a bit of a clove smell and taste. Dentists like it because it’s gentle on sore teeth (the clove oil in it helps calm things down).
IRM can hold up for a few months but not forever. It’s good for teeth that need help while healing or waiting.
Glass Ionomer Cements
When my dentist brought up glass ionomer, it sounded fancy. Really, it’s a clever mix that can even give off fluoride to help stop future cavities under the filling. It sticks to the tooth pretty well and is less likely to fall out soon.
It’s great if your cavity is near the gums or if the filling needs to last a little longer. Still, it’s not as strong as a permanent fix.
Composite Resin
One time, I had to get a temp that matched my other teeth for wedding photos. That’s where composite resin works best. Your dentist can use the same tooth-colored stuff as regular fillings, but put it in faster and make it easy to pull out later.
Composite temporaries look good for pictures and work well if you care about how your smile looks for a short time, but they don’t last very long.
Other Provisional Materials
Sometimes your dentist will use stuff called “Cavit” or just “temporary dressing.” Cavit is a quick-setting paste used for very short times—think maybe a week or two, tops. It’s used when you’ll be coming back to the dentist soon.
All these materials do their jobs a little differently, and the best one for you depends on your own tooth and how long you’ll need to wait for a permanent fix.
The Temporary Filling Procedure: What to Expect at the Dentist
Here’s what usually happens, so you’re not nervous. My first time getting a temp filling was over fast, didn’t hurt, and wasn’t scary at all.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Getting ready: The dentist might numb your tooth if the part that needs work is deep or you’re jumpy about pain (I always ask for the numbing—no shame!). They’ll clean out decay or smooth sharp pieces if your tooth broke.
- Putting in the filling: The dentist squishes the filling material into the cavity or crack to seal it up. This part just takes a few minutes.
- Shaping: Once the filling is in, they use their tools to make sure your bite still fits. You might be asked to bite down to check if anything feels wrong.
- Aftercare instructions: The dentist will give you tips right away about what to stay away from and how to keep the filling safe.
From start to finish, a basic temp filling only takes about 30 minutes. If it’s part of a bigger job, it can take a bit longer.
How Long Do Temporary Fillings Typically Last?
One thing every dentist will tell you: temporary fillings are meant to be, well, temporary. How long they last varies, but here’s what I’ve learned by experience and from looking it up:
- Most of the time: Anywhere from a couple days to 6 months. Usually, fillings like IRM or glass ionomer are good for 2–3 months. Some fillings (like Cavit) last just a week or two.
- Material type: Glass ionomers and IRM stay longer than quick-setting stuff like Cavit.
- Where the filling is: Back teeth fillings often wear out faster because you chew more there.
- Biting habits: If you grind your teeth or eat a lot of crunchy or sticky foods, your filling might not last as long.
I’ve had temp fillings last a while if I followed my dentist’s advice, but once I left a filling in for almost four months (not smart!) and it started falling apart. Lesson learned: don’t delay the next appointment.
Essential Care Tips for Your Temporary Filling
If you want your temp filling to make it to the next appointment, you have to take care of it. After my first one, I had to change how I chewed and cleaned my teeth for a bit. Here’s what I found works best.
Dietary Considerations
Food can be your temp filling’s enemy, especially if it’s hard, sticky, or chewy.
Easy tips:
- Chew food on the other side of your mouth, especially the first few days.
- Don’t bite into hard stuff like apples or crusty bread.
- Avoid chewy candies, gum, caramels, and toffee.
Trust me, biting ice is a no-go. Being careful saves you a headache.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene
You still need to keep your mouth clean, just be a bit gentle around the temp filling.
- Brushing: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and go easy around the temp filling. Don’t scrub hard.
- Flossing: My dentist showed me how to slide floss out sideways, not snap it up (snapping can pull out the filling). Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist to show you how.
Keeping clean avoids swollen gums, infection, and more cavities—even with a temp filling in place.
What to Avoid Completely
Some things can wreck your temp filling quick. Here’s my golden rule: if you’re thinking of poking at it, just don’t!
Do NOT:
- Use toothpicks, fingernails, or anything else pokey near the filling.
- Grind or clench your teeth. If you grind at night like me, ask about getting a night guard dental lab made.
- Ignore pain, swelling, or a nasty taste—these mean your temp filling may have failed.
Just play it safe and your filling should stick around until you go back for the real deal.
What Happens After a Temporary Filling? (Transition to Permanent Care)
If you get a temp, you know you’ll be coming back to finish the job. I learned quick that there’s a timer running once a temp filling goes in.
- Why you need a permanent filling, crown, or onlay: Temp fillings are just a patch. After a while, they wear out and germs can get under them. In the long run, your tooth needs something strong and fully sealed.
- What’s next: Make your follow-up appointment! The dentist will pull the temp filling, check out your tooth, and put in a permanent fix—filling, inlay, crown, or whatever’s best. Sometimes, you can pick between different materials, like tooth-colored or metal.
- If you skip your follow-up: Once, I left a temp crown in too long and the tooth underneath started to rot. Not good, and it made the next fix harder.
Changing your temp filling out for a permanent one isn’t optional. It’s how you save your tooth for good.
When to Immediately Contact Your Dentist About Your Temporary Filling
Most temp fillings work without any trouble. But sometimes, stuff happens. These are the problems that sent me running back to the dentist (and you should go too):
- The filling falls out or starts to crumble and you can feel a sharp spot or new hole.
- You get new pain, swelling, or strong sensitivity to hot or cold.
- You taste something bad, see pus, or get a fever—these could mean infection.
- Your tongue or gums are getting sore from the filling, or your bite feels off.
If these things happen, call your dentist right away. It’s better to get a small fix now than a big, painful one later.
Conclusion: The Vital Role of Temporary Fillings in Dental Health
Let’s keep it simple: temporary fillings are super important in today’s dental care. They save teeth, fight off pain, and buy you time for a real fix.
Based on what I’ve gone through, listening to your dentist and keeping your appointments makes all the difference. A good temporary filling does its job and then lets the permanent one take over.
Trust your dentist, follow their advice, and remember temp fillings are just a stop on the road to a healthy, pain-free smile. And if you’re not sure about something, ask questions or get another opinion from a trusted dentist. When it’s about your teeth, no question is silly.
Note: Everything in this article comes from my own experience and common dental practices. For advice about your own teeth, always talk directly to your dentist.
