Crown fell off? What to do and how fast to see a dentist

What to do first when a crown comes off

Keep the crown, rinse your mouth with warm water, and call your dentist. A crown that falls off is rarely an emergency, but you should be seen within a few days. The tooth underneath is not protected, and it can crack, decay or get infected.

Do not panic and do not throw the crown away. In many cases the same crown can be cleaned and cemented back on in a short visit. That is the best news you can get, and it only works if you bring the crown with you.

If the crown is whole and fits back easily, you may be tempted to press it back in and move on. A quick check of the inside helps. A clean, hollow crown with old cement means the cement failed. If you see a piece of tooth or dark decay stuck inside, the tooth under it has changed, and the crown will not hold for long.

Why crowns come loose

A crown is held on by dental cement. Over the years that cement can wear down, and then the crown loosens. Sticky foods, hard foods and grinding your teeth can speed this up. The other common cause is decay. If a cavity forms under the edge of a crown, the tooth changes shape and the crown no longer fits.

Sometimes a crown comes off with a piece of the tooth inside it. That is a sign that the tooth itself has broken. In that case the crown may not be reusable, and the tooth may need more work, such as a new build-up or a new crown.

Teeth that have had a root canal are more likely to lose a crown, since the tooth is more brittle without a living nerve. If your crown comes off from a root canal tooth, do not wait too long to be seen. The tooth can crack when the crown is gone.

Step by step: protect the tooth

These steps are for the time between losing the crown and your visit. They are temporary. They are not a fix.

• Pick up the crown and look inside. If it is clean and whole, put it in a clean, dry container.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water or salt water. Skip alcohol mouthwash, which can sting exposed tooth.
• Call your dentist and explain what happened.
• If the tooth is sensitive, you can dab clove oil or a dental cement from the drugstore on it. Follow the label.
• If you must put the crown back, clean it first, check that it fits easily and that your bite feels right, and use only a drugstore temporary dental cement. Never force it.

What not to do

Do not use superglue or any household glue. These glues are not safe in the mouth, and they can damage the tooth and make it harder for your dentist to put the crown back. Do not chew on the tooth. Do not leave the tooth exposed for weeks, either. A tooth without its crown can break or get a cavity fast.

Denture adhesive or petroleum jelly can hold a crown for a short time if you must go out, but both are only stopgaps. Colgate and other dental sources agree: use them only to get through the day, then see a dentist.

Avoid brushing hard on the exposed tooth. It may be sensitive, so use a soft brush and lukewarm water. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help. And bring the crown, even if you think it is broken. Your dentist can tell if it can be reused.

Be careful with chewing gum, too. Sticky gum can pull a loose crown off and pull a temporary one off with it. If you must chew, choose sugar-free gum and chew on the other side.

What your dentist will do

At the visit, the dentist checks the crown and the tooth underneath. They take an X-ray to look for decay or a crack. If the tooth is healthy and the crown still fits, the dentist cleans both and cements the crown back. That often takes under an hour.

If there is decay, the dentist removes it, rebuilds the tooth and may make a new crown. If the tooth is cracked, the plan can change to a root canal or an extraction. At KDA we use digital scans, so we do not need a messy impression tray, and we can make a temporary crown in the office with 3D printing.

Ask your dentist what caused the crown to come off, so it does not happen again. If it was grinding, a night guard may protect the new one. If it was decay, a better home routine and a closer look at the edges can help.

Plan on bringing a list of your medicines, and tell the office if you have a heart condition or take blood thinners. Some people need special care before certain procedures.

If you cannot see a dentist for a week or more, call anyway. The office may offer tips for your case or may be able to put a temporary crown on sooner.

Ask whether your insurance covers re-cementing or a replacement crown, and how often. Our team can walk you through your plan, and financing is available for larger treatment.

When a lost crown is more urgent

Most lost crowns can wait a day or two. Treat it as urgent and call the same day if you have:

• Strong pain or pain that wakes you at night
• Swelling in your gum or face
• A sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek
• A fever or a bad taste in your mouth
• Trouble eating on that side

How to keep a new crown on longer

A well-made crown can last many years. To help it, brush twice a day and floss around the crown daily, since decay starts at the edge. Avoid chewing ice and very sticky candy. If you grind your teeth, ask about a night guard.

See your dentist twice a year. At checkups we look at the edges of your crowns and test whether they are still firm, so a loose crown can be fixed before it falls off.

If you have a temporary crown, treat it with extra care. It is meant to hold for a short time and is not as strong as the final one.

Keep every piece. Even a small piece of crown helps the dentist see how it came apart. Put it in a small bag, label it and bring it along.

Lost a crown? Call KDA

We can see you and look at the crown and the tooth underneath.

KDA lists emergency care 24/7. If you are in pain, call us at 305-271-1421 and tell us what is going on. Our regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and we are closed Saturday and Sunday.

You will find us at 8833 SW 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33176, in the Kendall Mall. We have served South Florida since 1973. We take digital X-rays and 3D scans in the office, so we can see what is wrong the same visit. We accept most dental insurances and most Medicare supplemental plans, and financing is available.

Finally, do not panic about the cost. If you need a new crown, ask your dentist for an estimate and your insurance options before you start. Knowing the plan ahead of time makes the decision easier.

Common questions

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: colgate.com, my.clevelandclinic.org, dentalcompare.com.