Lost a Crown or Filling While in Seoul? Here's What to Do
If a crown or filling falls out while you're in Seoul, keep the crown, rinse, avoid chewing on that side, and see a dentist within a few days. Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, can check the tooth, re-cement a sound crown, or place a new filling or temporary so you can travel comfortably.
Key facts
- A lost crown or filling is rarely a medical emergency, but the tooth should be seen within a few days.
- Never use superglue to reattach a crown.
- Resin fillings from ₩60,000–150,000 and inlays from ₩300,000 at Lucid Dental (confirm at consultation).
- A sealed temporary can protect the tooth until you reach your home dentist.
- Lucid Dental is open Mon–Sat and holidays, closed Sundays, and is not a 24-hour clinic.
- Call 119 if a crown may have been inhaled or swelling affects breathing.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Prosthodontist, Chief Dentist at Lucid Dental Clinic. Last reviewed September 27, 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis; individual results vary, and a consultation and exam are required.
What should I do first if my crown or filling falls out?
Keep the crown, rinse your mouth, avoid chewing on that side, and book a dentist visit within a few days, or sooner if it hurts. A lost crown or filling is uncomfortable but is rarely a medical emergency.
- Save the crown. Rinse it, dry it, and keep it in a small bag or container. Don't throw it away; it can often be checked and re-cemented.
- Look for swallowed or broken pieces. A swallowed crown usually passes on its own, but if you cough, wheeze or feel it went "down the wrong way," get medical help urgently, because it may have been inhaled.
- Keep the area clean. Brush gently and rinse with warm water after eating.
- Protect the tooth. Chew on the other side, choose soft foods, and avoid very hot, cold or sugary drinks. NHS 111 Wales gives the same soft-diet advice for damaged teeth.
- Manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief if needed, following the packet.
- Message a dentist with a photo of the tooth and the crown, and mention whether it's a natural-tooth crown or an implant crown.
Can I glue my crown back on myself?
Never use superglue or household adhesive. Some pharmacies abroad sell temporary dental cement, but a crown pushed on at the wrong angle can crack the tooth or trap bacteria underneath. If you use a temporary product, treat it only as a short bridge to a dental visit. In most cases, it is simpler and safer to keep the crown in a container and let a dentist clean, check and re-cement it.
Why did my crown or filling come out?
Common reasons include new decay under the edge of the restoration, cement that has washed out over years, a very sticky or hard food, or grinding at night. Sometimes the tooth itself has broken beneath the crown. The dentist needs to find the cause, because simply re-gluing a crown over active decay can lead to bigger problems later. If grinding is involved, a night guard may help protect the new work.
What will the dentist do at Lucid Dental Clinic?
The visit starts with a look at the tooth and, usually, an X-ray. Then the dentist explains which of these routes fits your situation and what it costs before anything is done.
| What we find | Likely next step | Visits (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Crown intact, tooth healthy | Clean and re-cement the original crown | Often one visit |
| Small lost filling | New resin (tooth-colored) filling | Usually one visit |
| Large lost filling or cracked cusp | Inlay or onlay, or a new crown | Two or more visits |
| Decay under the crown or broken core | Remove decay, rebuild, new crown; root canal if the nerve is affected | Several visits |
| Loose implant crown | Check and tighten or replace the screw or abutment | Depends on the implant system |
If you are only in Seoul briefly and a new crown is needed, the dentist can place a sealed temporary crown or filling so you can travel comfortably. Ask for English notes and copies of images to take to your home dentist. Our dental crowns service and inlays and onlays pages explain those treatments in more detail.
How much does it cost to fix a lost crown or filling in Seoul?
The fee for re-cementing an existing crown is confirmed at the visit. For new work, our official non-covered fee table lists these reference "from" prices:
- Resin (composite) filling: ₩60,000–150,000 per tooth (about US$43–107 at roughly ₩1,400 per US$; check today's rate)
- Inlay: ₩300,000 per tooth (about US$214)
- Zirconia crown on an implant: ₩500,000 (about US$357)
Crowns on natural teeth and root canal treatment are quoted after the exam. All fees are confirmed at consultation, and final prices depend on what the dentist finds. If you live in Korea and are enrolled in national health insurance, some basic fillings and root canal work are typically covered; see NHIS dental coverage for foreigners.
Does a missing implant crown need different care?
Yes. An implant crown is held by a screw or cement on an abutment, not by a natural tooth. If it comes loose, keep all parts, including any small screw, and avoid chewing on the site. It helps to know the implant brand and where it was placed; ask your original dentist for the implant record if you can. Lucid Dental places Osstem and MegaGen implants, and an X-ray can often help identify other systems, but compatibility has to be confirmed at the exam.
How soon should I be seen?
Try to be seen within a few days. Go sooner if you have pain, swelling, a sharp edge cutting your cheek, or a crown that you cannot find. Lucid Dental Clinic is open Monday to Saturday and on public holidays, with late evenings until 20:30 on Tuesday to Thursday, and closed on Sundays. We are not a 24-hour emergency clinic. For facial swelling that spreads, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a suspected inhaled crown, call 119. For non-urgent interpretation help, the 1330 Travel Helpline (+82-2-1330 from a foreign phone) can assist. See emergency dentist in Gangnam for more options, and our international patients hub for booking and payment information.
How can I stop it happening again?
Keep regular check-ups, because early decay at the edge of a crown is easy to miss at home. Floss around crowns daily, limit very sticky sweets, and mention jaw clenching to your dentist. Crowns and fillings wear over time, so replacement at some point is normal, not a failure.
Book a consultation
Send a photo of the tooth and crown, plus your travel dates. Message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or use our WhatsApp booking link. Lucid Dental Clinic is on the 3rd–4th floors of the COWAY Building, 606 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, directly in front of Exit 3 of Eonju Station (Line 9). Hours: Mon & Fri 10:00–18:00, Tue–Thu 10:00–20:30, Sat & public holidays 10:00–16:00; closed Sundays.
Frequently asked questions
I swallowed my crown. What should I do?
If you feel fine and have no coughing or breathing trouble, a swallowed crown usually passes naturally. If you started coughing, wheezing or feel chest discomfort, get medical help promptly because it may have been inhaled. Either way, the tooth still needs a new crown or temporary.
Can I fly with a missing filling?
Most people can fly safely with a missing filling, though the tooth may feel sensitive. A temporary filling placed before the flight usually makes the trip more comfortable. Tell the dentist your departure date so they can plan around it.
Will my travel insurance pay for a replacement filling?
Some travel insurance policies include emergency dental cover for sudden pain or damage, often with limits. Keep your itemized receipt and treatment notes (ask whether they can be provided in English), and check your policy wording before you claim.
Can a Korean dentist re-cement a crown made in another country?
Often, yes, if the crown still fits well and the tooth underneath is healthy. The dentist will check the fit and look for decay first. If the crown no longer fits, a new one or a temporary will be suggested.
Does a lost filling always mean I need a root canal?
No. Many lost fillings are simply replaced with a new filling or inlay. A root canal is only needed if decay or a crack has reached the nerve, which the dentist checks with an exam and X-ray.