Help! My Crown Fell Off!

Crowns are anchored firmly in the mouth, restoring the full strength and appearance of a weakened tooth. That being said, they’re not invulnerable to wear and tear. This may especially be true if you grind or clench your teeth at night. Likewise, certain habits such as chewing ice or using your teeth as a tool can increase your risk of losing a crown. The good news is that our dentists in Plymouth, MI, are ready to help!

Here, we’ll outline the steps you should take if you lose a dental crown. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions so you can arrive informed at your next appointment.

Is a Broken Crown an Emergency?

No, a broken crown is usually not a dental emergency. The only exception would be if your crown has sharp, jagged edges. Under these circumstances, we’d recommend seeking urgent dental care so you don’t cut your tongue or cheeks by accident.

If the broken crown doesn’t pose an immediate danger, you’re usually safe to wait a few days until you’re able to see one of our dentists. That being said, please call us right away so we can plan out your next steps.

What Should I Do If I Lose a Crown?

Don’t panic. If your dental crown falls off, the first thing you’ll need to do is call our office. We’ll be able to fit you in our schedule as soon as possible, which may be several days from now. Use over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce any pain or discomfort.

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

If your porcelain dental crown isn’t intact, we still recommend keeping it to show our emergency dentists. They may be able to reuse your dental crown if it’s in good condition. In the meantime, 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. The good news is most drug stores sell dental wax so it should be relatively easy to find.

Can You Reuse My Dental Crown?

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

If you need a new dental crown, 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 tooth crown will be ready.

Can I Still Eat with a Missing Crown?

Yes, but you need to protect the tooth first. (See the section above about what you should do if your crown falls off.) Once you protect your tooth, you’ll be able to eat. However, you’ll 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 protected tooth to minimize the chance of accidentally damaging it.

What If I Swallow My Dental Crown? 

Call a medical doctor immediately if you think you swallowed your crown by accident. There’s a chance you could have aspirated it instead and your dental crown could be 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.

Schedule a Dental Crown Appointment

Our dentists in Plymouth, MI, are accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you explore your treatment options after losing a crown. To schedule an appointment, please call Plymouth Dentistry at (734) 459-7110. You may also fill out our online contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you soon.

This blog post has been updated.