Lost Crown
When to see an emergency dentist
- If your crown or bridge has come off.
- If your crown or bridge has become loose.
- If your crown or bridge has become painful.
- If you notice a swelling associated with your crown or bridge.
What to do if your crown comes off
- Make sure you keep the crown, don't throw it away.
- DON'T try and glue the crown back in, this can cause problems for you and the dentist.
- If you put it back in temporarily without it being secure, make sure you don't swallow or inhale it; be very careful.
Finally, book an appointment with an emergency dentist near you.
Causes
Debond – Sometimes the cement or the bond that helps secure the crown to the tooth fails, which causes the crown to come off.
Tooth decay – The tooth underneath the crown can decay which means it can no longer provide a suitable core to keep the crown in place.
Fracture – If the amount of pressure on the crown is too much for the tooth or filling underneath it, the whole crown may fracture off. Fractures may occur within the crowns themselves also.
Root Fracture – Crowns that have posts attached to them can fracture the root of the tooth. Post crowns will normally become loose or fall out in this scenario.
Emergency Treatment
Recementation – If your crown and tooth are intact, the dentist may be able to remove the old cement and reattach your crown.
If the crown cannot be recemented, there are techniques that dentists can use to provide a temporary solution.
Prevention
The best ways to look after your crown include:
- Visit your dentist regularly at a time period specified by your dentist.
- Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes with an appropriate fluoride toothpaste for your age.
- Clean between your teeth with interdental brushes daily, and use a daily non-alcohol based fluoride mouthwash.
- Reduce the amount and the frequency of sugar in your diet.
- Avoid hard foods on crowns that you know are heavily filled underneath.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
- Wear a bite raising appliance or a splint if you have had one made by your dentist.
