What to Do If Your Crown Falls Off
Dental Crowns BridgesIt can happen while eating a sticky caramel or crunching on a piece of ice. Suddenly, you feel a hard object in your mouth, and your tongue discovers a sensitive, jagged spot where your tooth used to be smooth. Your crown has fallen off.
While this is not usually a life-threatening emergency, it does require prompt attention to save the crown and protect your tooth.
Step 1: Save the Crown
Find the crown immediately. Do not throw it away! Rinse it gently with water. If it is hollow and looks intact, your dentist can often simply re-cement it back onto your tooth, saving you the cost of a new one.
Step 2: Protect the Tooth
The underlying tooth tissue is now exposed, which can be very sensitive to hot and cold. It is also fragile.
- Temporary Cement: You can buy temporary dental cement at most pharmacies (look for 'Recall' or 'Dentemp'). Following the instructions, place a small amount inside the crown and gently slip it back onto your tooth. This protects the tooth and holds the crown in place temporarily.
- Toothpaste: If you can't get cement, a dab of toothpaste or sugar-free gum inside the crown can act as a weak adhesive for a few hours.
Step 3: Call Your Dentist
Call your dentist as soon as possible. Let them know your crown came off. Even if you have re-attached it temporarily, you need professional cement to seal out bacteria. If you leave it too long, the teeth around it can shift, meaning the crown will no longer fit.
What NOT to Do
Never use household glues like Super Glue or Crazy Glue to re-attach a crown. These are toxic and can permanently damage the tooth and the crown.