Crowns are a common dental procedure. There are around 2.3 million crowns implanted each year. Crowns are designed to last for years, but sometimes they become loose and fall out.
There are certain steps to take if your crown fell off, and they don’t involve panicking or rushing to the emergency room.
If you’ve recently searched “my crown fell off my tooth, what do I do,” our guide will help you with everything you need to know. Read on for more information.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cap for a tooth that’s damaged. You can have a crown on your molar or sometimes on your front teeth, designed specifically to match the coloring and shape of your current teeth.
Crowns can be made from the following types of materials:
- Ceramic
- Porcelain
- Metal
- Composite resin
- Zirconia
A temporary crown is placed on your tooth for a short period of time while your permanent crown is being made. Sometimes a temporary crown can dislodge your tooth. Again, that’s not a cause for panic.
But, what do you do if your permanent crown fell out? Follow the below steps if that happens to you.
Step One – Contact Your Dentist
Even if your crown fell out but doesn’t hurt, you should still contact your dentist right away. The tooth underneath your crown is unprotected and weak. It might feel painful or sensitive.
Reach out to Boise Family Dental Care immediately if your crown fell out. You don’t want bacteria and food particles to get into the inner parts of your tooth, resulting in decay or infection.
Step Two – Rinse Your Crown
If your crown isn’t damaged and still appears to be in good shape, you might be able to just have it reattached. That will save you money and time compared to having a new crown made.
Find your crown and gently rinse it off with warm water. Put it in a container or plastic bag. When you go to the dentist, bring it with you and ask about possible reattachment. Your dentist will be able to judge if this is a viable option for you.
Step Three – Protect Your Exposed Tooth
In an ideal situation, you should visit an emergency dentist on the same day your crown falls out. However, if it’s the weekend or a holiday, that’s not always possible. You can take extra steps yourself to protect your exposed tooth until you’re able to visit the dentist.
One thing you can do is get temporary dental cement from your local drugstore. This helps you create a protective coating around your tooth. Your dentist is also able to easily remove the cement from your tooth.
You could also use the dental cement to temporarily reattach your crown to your tooth. One thing to figure out before you try to reattach your crown is what way the crown is supposed to fit on your tooth.
Before you add cement to your tooth, test the crown. Place it on your tooth the way you think it fits and gently bite down. If it doesn’t feel right, readjust it.
Once you have the crown placed in the right position, follow the instructions on the dental cement to reattach the crown.
Another option if your crown fell off a decayed tooth is to get dental wax. You can put a lump of wax gently around your tooth to protect it.
No matter what route you take to protect your tooth, know that a temporary fix is not a long-term solution and that you’ll need to visit a dentist for permanent reattachment or replacement.
Step Four – Get Your Crown Replaced or Reattached
Head to your dentist as soon as you can to have your crown fixed. If the crown is in good shape, they usually can reattach it. If the tooth or crown is damaged, you may need a new crown made.
Why Did My Crown Fall Off?
There are a few different reasons why a permanent crown may fall off. One of them is that your crown may be new and wasn’t properly fitted to your tooth.
If you’ve had your crown for a few years, it also might fall out due to an improper fit. Over time, biting, chewing, and pressure can loosen an improperly fitted crown.
Crowns also need to have a solid amount of tooth structure to properly stay in place. If your tooth is worn or short, the enamel may not be strong enough to provide a durable base.
Another cause of a dental crown falling off is the deterioration of the dental cement. The cement is designed to keep your crown attached, but over time it can start to wear down.
Teeth clenching or grinding can also result in your crown loosening. This is one of the major causes of a crown prematurely failing.
When you grind or clench your teeth, you’re putting a lot of pressure on your molars and premolars. This can result in the dental cement starting to loosen or the crown itself breaking. To help avoid your crown becoming damaged due to clenching, wear a nightguard.
If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, cavities can start to develop under your crown. It’s not a common occurrence but it does happen, especially with a tooth that’s already had signs of decay.
Your dentist might have prepared your teeth properly before putting the crown on them. Practicing proper dental hygiene can help keep your teeth in the best condition possible.
Contact Boise Family Dental Care if Your Crown Fell off
If your crown fell off, don’t panic. Recover the crown as quickly as possible and contact your dentist. You want to avoid any damage happening to the exposed tooth or to your crown.
Our staff at Boise Family Dental Care is ready to help you with your dental emergency or routine dental care. Contact our office today to book an appointment.
