Dental crowns are amazingly versatile restorations, helping your smile look its best while providing durable protection to teeth that have been damaged or are at risk of future damage. But like any restoration, crowns rarely last forever.
At some point, a crown can become loose or even fall out, and knowing what to do isn’t just important for your comfort — it’s critical for your oral health and your peace of mind.
As a leading provider of state-of-the-art crowns, Dr Taylor’s Family Dental Center wants every patient to feel 100% confident and secure in their restorations. In this post, the team of four providers reviews step-by-step instructions on what to do if your crown becomes loose, damaged, or dislodged.
Losing a crown can definitely trigger anxiety and even panic, especially when accompanied by tooth pain. It’s not always easy, but try to stay calm and focus on locating your crown if you can. If the crown is undamaged, we may be able to replace it. Damaged or not, bring the crown with you to your appointment.
If you swallow your crown, again — don’t panic. In most instances, a swallowed crown passes through your digestive system without issue. Pay attention to any discomfort you may experience so you can call your doctor if you suspect a problem.
The next step is to call us so we can schedule an emergency visit immediately. Once the crown is off your tooth, the tooth itself is at risk of additional damage. Scheduling a visit as soon as possible protects your tooth and relieves any pain or sensitivity you may be experiencing.
Place your crown in a glass of warm water and carefully clean it. Don’t clean it directly in your sink or under running water, since you might lose it down the drain. If food particles or other debris are stuck on your crown, you can brush them with your toothbrush to remove them. Then store the crown in a plastic bag or small container to prevent it from being damaged.
Before a crown gets placed, we need to remove some of the tooth material to make room for the restoration. Often, that means the remaining tooth is jagged or rough, which in turn could cause abrasions inside your cheek. To protect your mouth, apply dental wax to the tooth or use sugar-free gum to cover the jagged edges until you can get to our office.
Crowns often cover teeth that have undergone root canal therapy, a procedure that removes the nerves inside the tooth. In these instances, losing the crown may not cause considerable discomfort. But if the crown protects a tooth with a live nerve, you may have some discomfort and sensitivity once the crown is missing.
Using dental wax helps protect the nerve and reduce sensitivity when applied with Anbesol®, an over-the-counter toothache product. Over-the-counter pain medication can help, too.
If you can’t come to the office right away, it’s still important to brush and floss regularly. Take extra care when cleaning around the affected tooth to avoid irritating the gums or triggering pain in the tooth itself. A gentle swish with mouthwash offers additional protection against germs and infection while the tooth is unprotected.
Dental crowns protect and restore cracked, fractured, or damaged teeth due to deep decay or infection, and they add a layer of protection for teeth used to support bridges. To learn how crowns can help restore and protect your oral health now and for years to come, call 248-681-8100 or request an appointment online at Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center in Waterford, Michigan, today. The office is open seven days a week.
