While losing your dental filling is not an emergency per se, you want to see the dentist at the earliest. Especially if you have pain, sensitivity, or find it difficult to bite, chew and speak.

1. The cavity size helps decide if the size is small, a filling will be sufficient. But advanced damage will lead to a root canal procedure, after which the dentist will fit the tooth with a crown.
2. The tooth condition is a major determinant. If there have been too many fillings in the tooth, it has most probably become too weak. It will not be strong enough to withstand normal chewing and biting functions. As a result, it may crack or break into two or more pieces piercing the gums with its jagged ends. The crown will protect the teeth in such cases.
3. The strength of the tooth. If the tooth is weak, the dentist will scoop out the infection by performing a root canal treatment and then place a crown over the place where the damaged tooth once was.

The dental filling is an outpatient procedure and can take less than 20 minutes to finish. It uses some composite dental material used to restore chipped, broken, or decaying teeth. A dental crown can take up to a couple of sittings, and you may have to follow up with regular dental visits after that. In some cases where the damage is very severe, your dentist will perform a root canal treatment before placing a dental crown on it.

Dental filling and fitting a crown is not a painful procedure per se. However, if your dentist has recommended a root canal for you, you may elect to take numbing shots in the area to combat pain.

The only way to prevent your filling and crown's premature loss is to visit your dentist to control plaque regularly. Prudent care of your dental restorations and not biting into tough things will ensure that they last long.