Phrases › At the Dentist › Ho perso un'otturazione.

Ho perso un'otturazione.

I have lost a filling.

Pronunciation

ot-tu-ra-TSYO-ne — five syllables. Double 't', then 'z' sound for 'zi'. Stress on fourth syllable.

When to use it

Report this as soon as it happens — call the dentist immediately. A lost filling exposes sensitive dentin and can get worse quickly.

What it means

'Ho perso' is the passato prossimo of 'perdere' (to lose). 'Un'otturazione' is a filling — the vowel elision ('un'' instead of 'una') happens because 'otturazione' starts with a vowel. Alternative terms: 'piombatura' (older term) or just 'la chiusura del dente'.

Variations

Mi si è staccata una corona.

My crown came off.

'Corona' is a dental crown — staccata = detached/fell off

Ho perso il ponte.

I lost my bridge.

Dental bridge — 'ponte' literally means bridge

Si è rotta la mia protesi.

My denture broke.

'Protesi' = dental prosthetic/denture — common in older patients

Mini Dialogue

— Ho perso un'otturazione mentre mangiavo un biscotto. — Capisco. Ha ancora il pezzo dell'otturazione? — Sì, ce l'ho qui. — Bene. Lo porti con sé. Spesso possiamo rimetterla. Quando può venire? — Il prima possibile. — Domani mattina alle nove va bene?

— I lost a filling while eating a biscuit. — I understand. Do you still have the piece of filling? — Yes, I have it here. — Good. Bring it with you. We can often put it back. When can you come? — As soon as possible. — Tomorrow morning at nine, is that good?

Cultural Note

In Italy, dental fillings ('otturazioni') are done with composite resin ('resina composita') for visible teeth and amalgam or resin for back teeth. Amalgam fillings are being phased out under EU directive. Composite fillings are tooth-coloured and have become standard. Emergency temporary fillings can be done immediately, with permanent ones at a follow-up.

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Questo dente mi fa male quando mangio.

Ho bisogno di un'estrazione?

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