Lost Dental Crown? Don’t Panic!

If your dental crown is loose or has fallen off, it’s tempting to panic. Fortunately, losing a crown isn’t usually considered a dental emergency. As long as there are no jagged edges, you don’t need to rush in to see our Hudsonville, MI, dentists. You should still make plans to have your crown repaired as soon as it’s convenient for you.

Here’s what you need to know about losing your dental crown.

Is a Broken Crown a Dental Emergency?

The only time you’d need to call our emergency dentists for a broken crown is if the edges are noticeably sharp. In this situation, you may need emergency dental care so you don’t cut your tongue or cheeks by accident. Otherwise, you’ll be able to wait a few days for your appointment.

Signs & Symptoms of a Loose Crown

While dental crowns are built to last many years, life still happens. When a crown starts to wear out and loosen, you may feel a few different sensations that can signal something is off.

Our dentists recommend coming into our office if you notice:

• Your crown feels wobbly compared to your natural teeth
• Bits of food are getting trapped where your gums meet the crown
• Out-of-the-blue tooth sensitivity to heat, cold, or air exposure
• Discomfort when chewing
• Pain underneath the crown

What Should I Do if a Crown Falls Off?

Remain calm. If your dental crown falls off, the first thing you’ll need to do is call our Hudsonville dental office. We can fit you in our schedule as soon as possible, which may be several days from now. In the meantime, try using over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce any pain or discomfort.

If your dental crown is intact, we recommend buying some dental cement from your local pharmacy. Next, you’ll want to clean the inside of your dental crown. Apply the dental cement to your natural tooth and place your dental crown on top. Hold the dental crown in place until the cement dries.

For a dental crown that isn’t intact, we still recommend keeping it to show our emergency dentists. Our dentists may be able to reuse your dental crown if it’s in good condition. Until then, mold dental wax over your tooth so it’s protected. You’ll want to use the same dental wax that’s used to push errant wire braces back into place.

Can a Crown Be Reused?

Yes, but it depends on the condition of the dental crown. If your dental crown is in one piece, our dentists may be able to place it back on your tooth. Otherwise, our emergency dentists may need to make a new tooth crown.

If that turns out to be the case, our dentists will need to take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab. We will then place a temporary crown over your tooth. When you return for your second appointment, your permanent crown will be ready.

Can I Still Eat if My Crown Falls Out?

Yes, but you need to protect your tooth first. (See the section above about what you should do if your crown falls off.) Once you protect your tooth, you can eat. However, you will need to stay away from foods that are hard to chew or sticky. That way, you won’t pull off your crown again by accident or damage your tooth. It’s also best if you chew on the side opposite of your dental crown.

What Happens if You Swallow Your Crown?

Call a medical doctor immediately if you think you swallowed your crown by accident. There’s a chance you could have instead aspirated it, meaning your dental crown is in your lungs. A medical doctor will be able to take x-rays to see where your dental crown went. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If you indeed swallowed your dental crown, it should pass in a few days. Dental crowns are small and smooth, which makes it easy for them to pass through the digestive tract.

Make an Appointment Today

Ourdentists in Hudsonville, MI, are here to help if your dental crown feels loose, cracked, or has fallen off completely. Schedule an appointment by calling Hudsonville Dental at (616) 209-4024 today.

This blog has been updated.