Sometimes your dental visit to receive a filling will require more than one appointment. When that happens, your dentist will fit you with a temporary filling so that your teeth will not shift and your bite will not be affected while you wait for your permanent restoration. When your tooth is being prepped for a dental crown, a temporary filling is placed in the crown opening to keep saliva out. Antibiotics may be prescribed if an infection is present and has spread beyond the end of the roots.
A temporary filling is an intermediate filling that may be placed for a variety of reasons that may include:
- emergency care
- urgency care
- to relieve sensitivity and allow for further evaluation of the tooth
- following root canal treatment, prior to definitive restoration
- extensive decay where immediate "final" restoration is not indicated at the time and further evaluation is indicated at a later date
There are reasons to place a temporary restoration. It is not routinely done and has an important purpose.
Continue Learning about Dental Fillings
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.