Trust us, you’re not the first person to have lost a dental crown. Life happens, and sometimes despite your best efforts, a crown can come loose or even fall off completely. No, it isn’t a dental emergency like knocking out a tooth. However, there are a few things you should do to protect the area. This is how you can prevent further damage until you see your dentist to have the crown repaired.
Call Your Dentist Right Away
There’s no need to panic, but if you lose a dental crown, make sure you contact your dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Waiting too long to repair or replace a crown could cause further damage to the tooth or more discomfort for you.
Your dentist will be more than happy to make an emergency appointment. If you still have the crown, keep it in a safe place and bring it with you. Sometimes your dentist will be able to reattach it. Don’t worry if you can’t find the crown, a new one can be made.
Inspect Your Tooth and the Crown
It’s important to inspect your tooth where the crown came loose or fell off to check for any jagged edges or pieces that could pose a choking hazard.
Depending on the condition of your crown, your dentist may recommend that you temporarily reattach it to the tooth using a small dab of toothpaste or dental cement. You can purchase this at most pharmacies. You’ll want to make sure that you know exactly how the crown fits your tooth before attempting to place it.
Keep the Area Clean
Make sure you keep the exposed area clean while you’re waiting to see your dentist. Gentle brushing twice daily will reduce the risk of further irritation or infection. Continue to inspect the tooth to make sure there isn’t any additional damage.
Watch What You Eat
It’s not ideal, but you should avoid certain foods that could aggravate or worsen the exposed tooth. This includes the following:
- Crunchy foods like apples, chips, etc.
- Sticky foods and candies
- Extremely hot or cold foods (this can irritate exposed nerves)
A lost dental crown is no reason to panic. With a bit of extra effort, you’ll minimize your discomfort and have your crown repaired in no time.
About the Author
Dr. Nawrocki has over four decades of experience providing exceptional dental care to his patients. He received his Doctorate in Dentistry from the University of Florida and went on to complete thousands of hours of continuing education, including courses at the Pankey Institute, the Seattle Institute, and the Spear Educational Institute. Dr. Nawrocki is a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Additionally, he has a Mastership with the Academy of General Dentistry. If you have any questions about your dental crowns, visit his website or give him a call at (321)783-7514.