What to do if Your Tooth Crown Has Come Off?

Dental Crowns are customized caps that are cemented on the visible portion of a damaged tooth. Although they are firmly cemented into place, there is still a chance that the crown may fall down. This is not common but it can happen due to many reasons like experiencing trauma to the face as a result of an accident, or the crown may have become loose as a result of chewing hard or sticky food.

Regardless of how it happened, if your permanent crown fell out you need to take an action and recement or replace it as soon as possible.

When the tooth crown came off, it left your tooth unprotected, so it’s important to clean the area properly. The tooth should be monitored carefully until a dentist examines it.

Here are a few steps you should take if your crown falls out:

Try to fix it temporarily:

The best thing you can do when a crown falls off is to retrieve it. You may be able to temporarily fix it with toothpaste if you have saved it after it fell.

Call your dentist:

Even though falling out the crown is not an emergency, you should see your dentist as soon as possible to get it fixed and recemented.

Manage the pain:

It is common for the nerves to be exposed to the elements after a crown falls out, creating intense pain and sensitivity.

Taking over-the-counter medication can be helpful, but shouldn’t be considered a long-term solution, it is a temporary relief of pain until seeing your dentist and recement the crown.

Monitor your eating and chewing:

If you are experiencing a broken or loose crown, be sure to chew all the food on the opposite side of the affected tooth until you can get it replaced or recemented (However, you will probably find it uncomfortable to use the damaged side).

Also, you need to monitor the types of foods you consume while awaiting your dental appointment. Try to avoid anything that can cause further damage, decay, or pain, including:

• Foods and drinks with high sugar content (candy, soda, certain cereals, etc.)
• Foods and drinks with extreme temperatures (coffee, tea, soups, etc.)
• Hard foods (Nuts, whole apples, corn on the cob, etc.)
• Foods and drinks that are highly acidic (oranges, citrus juices, etc.)

How Long Can You Go Without a Crown?

It’s possible for the tooth to survive for several weeks without a crown, but that’s not ideal. Without at least a temporary crown, your tooth could be sensitive to temperatures and susceptible to further damage. It is always recommended to see the dentist within a few days and recement the crown.

What I can do to prevent a crown loss?

One of the most common reasons to lose a crown is getting new tooth decay. This might be a piece of surprising information for many patients. Depending on how badly the decayed tooth is, it may affect the crown’s fit and cause it to lose contact with the tooth.

By maintaining good oral hygiene, you may be able to prevent further decay. Be sure to follow the dental hygienist’s instructions in caring for your teeth, gums, and your crown. Usually, that involves gently brushing your teeth minimum twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing daily.