A crown coming loose is startling, but it usually isn't a true emergency. With a few simple steps you can protect the tooth until you see a dentist. Here's what to do, and what to avoid, if your crown falls off.
Step 1: Find and save the crown
Look for the crown and keep it in a small bag or container. Rinse it gently with water. If the crown and the tooth underneath are intact, a dentist can often clean it and cement it back in place.
Step 2: Check the tooth and call your dentist
Look at the tooth in a mirror and note whether it feels sensitive, cracked, or painful. Then call your dentist and describe what happened. At Sand Canyon Dental in Irvine, call 949-727-9077. We do our best to offer same-day appointments for urgent problems.
Step 3: Protect the tooth until your visit
Chew on the other side of your mouth.
Avoid very hot, cold, sticky, or hard foods.
Brush gently around the area to keep it clean.
If the tooth is sensitive, temporary dental cement or dental wax from a pharmacy can cover it for a short time.
What not to do
Don't use household glue to reattach a crown. It can damage both the tooth and the crown.
Don't throw the crown away, even if it looks damaged.
Don't wait weeks. The uncovered tooth is weaker and more likely to decay, crack, or shift.
Why do crowns come loose?
Crowns can loosen when the cement underneath wears down over time, when decay forms under the crown, when the tooth underneath breaks, or after biting something hard or sticky. Grinding your teeth at night also puts extra stress on crowns, which is one reason your dentist may suggest a night guard.
Can the same crown be put back on?
Often, yes. If the crown still fits well and the tooth is healthy, it can usually be cleaned and re-cemented. If there is decay under the crown or the crown itself is damaged, your dentist may recommend treating the tooth and making a new crown.
When to get help right away
Call your dentist the same day if you have severe pain, swelling, or a broken tooth. If you think you may have inhaled the crown, or you have any trouble breathing, get emergency medical care.
Getting help in Irvine
Sand Canyon Dental sees patients for urgent problems, including loose and lost crowns, at 16100 Sand Canyon Ave #270 in Irvine. Learn more about our emergency dental care and crowns and fillings, or call 949-727-9077.