What to Do If a Crown Falls Out?

You’re out enjoying a nice dinner with your family and friends when all of a sudden you realize that your crown fell out. This might be a complete shock to you but don’t panic. What to do when a crown falls out is usually relatively easy. The first two things you should always remember to do is:
1. Put the crown in a secure place
2. Contact your dentist.

What to Do When Crown Falls Out?

Sometimes a crown can out. If this happens to you, follow these steps:

1. Secure the crown in a safe place. In most cases the crown can be re-cemented, so try not to lose the crown.
2. Call your dentist. It is important to have the crown put back on as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to the tooth.
3. Keep the area clean. Continue your regular dental hygiene routine – brushing two times a day for two minutes each time with fluoridated toothpaste and flossing once per day.
4. Do not try to put the crown back on. You do not want to risk swallowing the crown – so, it’s best to let your dental professional re-cement the crown.
5. Avoid chewing on the side where the crown fell out to minimize the risk of further damage to your tooth.

What Happens If Crown Falls Out?

If you have a loose crown tooth or a loose implant crown, it is possible that your crown may fall out. The remaining portion of your tooth may be more sensitive to hot and cold. It might be wise to avoid eating foods that may intensify the sensitivity such as ice cream or hot soup until you can have the crown evaluated and possibly re-cemented by your dental professional.

Preventing Crown from Falling Out

There are several things you can do to prevent a tooth crown or implant crown from falling out.

Visit the Dentist Regularly

Regular dental visits will minimize your chance of a crown falling out. Your dentist will do regular exams of your teeth and check for risk factors for losing a dental crown.

Keep Your Teeth Clean

Good daily oral hygiene habits will decrease the likelihood that a crown will fall out. This includes Brushing 2 times a day for 2 minutes each time with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing 1 time per day.

Choose Foods that Are Healthy for Your Teeth

Foods that are low in sugars and not acidic will lower your chances of a crown falling out

Do Not Chew on Hard Objects

Objects such as ice and pencil tops can damage your teeth and undermine the framework of the crown causing it to fall out.

Don’t Forget about Preventing

If you clench or grind your teeth, wear an occlusal guard (also known as a “mouthguard”) to prevent you from damaging your crown and increasing the possibility of it falling out.

Conclusion

Whether you have a loose crown or a crown that has fallen out, you will need to have it looked at by a dental professional. If the crown has fallen out, remember to secure it in a safe place, in case it can be re-cemented back into place.

If your dental crown or dental implant crown has fallen out or become loose, call us today at 630-505-1516. Our experts at Living Well Dental Group can determine the right solution for you. Schedule an appointment today.