Lost Your Dental Crown? How to Handle the Problem Before Seeing a Dentist

Nothing’s worse than a dental crown popping off during dinner or before an important meeting. These things never happen at convenient times. But don’t worry; while losing your restoration may take you by surprise, you can take steps to protect your tooth and prevent more serious damage. If your dental crown falls off, here are a few tips to follow until you can see your emergency dentist for treatment.

What Causes a Dental Crown to Fall Off?

Would it be nice if these restorations lasted forever? Of course! Unfortunately, that’s not possible, so you’ll eventually need to replace them. But if one becomes loose or falls off before the end of its lifespan, it may be that:

• The crown did not fit properly to begin with
• You were grinding your teeth while asleep
• Your tooth was badly weakened
• You were eating sticky foods that caused the crown to come loose
• There was not enough dental cement holding your crown in place
• Tooth decay formed under the crown, causing it to affect the fit

What Should You Do If Your Crown Falls Out?

Not all crowns stay put forever, but what should you do if yours falls out? Here are a few tips you can use to handle the situation until it’s time to see your emergency dentist:

• Retrieve the Crown: If you can locate it, retrieve the crown and rinse it off. Bring it to your appointment so your dentist can reattach it.
• Call Your Emergency Dentist: Once you’ve secured the crown, call your emergency dentist to let the team know what happened. They will evaluate the severity of the situation over the phone and plan a time for you to come in for treatment.
• Try to Reinsert the Crown: This is not necessary, but if you can, try using toothpaste or dental adhesive to temporarily reattach the crown. This will protect the tooth from further damage and bacteria.
• Be Careful Eating: Do not chew on the side of your mouth with the loose or lost crown. If possible, eat softer foods until you can have it replaced.

While you wait to see your emergency dentist, don’t eat anything hard, sticky, or that requires you to chew excessively. This will only put your tooth at additional risk of damage. Also, be careful when brushing your teeth so you don’t irritate the area.

Losing a dental crown may not require same-day treatment in most cases, but don’t wait to call your emergency dentist for help. The sooner you get it reattached, the safer your smile will be.

About the Author

Dr. Hiren H. Shah completed his dental doctorate at New York University and underwent years of training in intravenous sedation and dental implants. With more than a decade of experience, he is pleased to lead the team at Signature Smiles in Edison. As a patient, you can expect comprehensive, trustworthy care, regardless of whether you need preventive, restorative, cosmetic, or emergency dentistry. If you have lost a dental crown and need us to replace it, contact us at (908) 834–8448 to schedule an appointment.