Have you ever had a severely damaged or decayed tooth, or have you undergone a root canal? If so, your dentist likely provided a dental crown after cleaning any infected materials. These tooth-shaped caps are cemented over injured chompers to prevent further harm while restoring their appearance and functionality.
Although they usually last 5 to 15 or more years, your crown can become lost or dislodged under certain circumstances. If you’ve realized your restoration has fallen out and are unsure what to do about it, continue reading to learn how to get the help you need!
Step #1: Find the Dental Crown
Before doing anything else, it’s important to locate your missing prosthetic, if only so you don’t accidentally swallow it. Depending on what happened, it might be in one whole piece, but it may have been broken or shattered into several smaller bits. Do your best to locate all the parts to bring to your dental appointment. If it’s in relatively good condition, there’s a chance your provider can cement it back in place without much issue.
Step #2: Clean Your Mouth
Your crown might have been yanked or pushed out of place if you ate something too hard or sticky, but if you’re an athlete or participate in close-contact activities, you could also sustain a blow to the face that knocks it out. Whatever the cause of your lost restoration, keeping your mouth clean is a good idea. After all, your mouth is full of bacteria that can penetrate your now-unprotected tooth, which can cause a painful infection.
Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water to naturally disinfect any cuts or wounds. You can also hold your prosthetic under running water to clear away dirt, germs, or debris.
Step #3: Reseat or Store the Crown
Depending on the condition of your dislodged crown and the underlying pearly white, you might be able to safely put it in its rightful place. This is only recommended if it’s still completely intact and no jagged edges could cut the insides of your lips, tongue, or gums.
To do so, place a small dollop of toothpaste to form a temporary, light suction when it’s pressed back over your injured tooth. Pressing too hard might further damage your enamel, so it’s best to use a gentle touch.
Step #4: Contact Your Dentist
If you haven’t already, be sure to call your dentist to let them know what happened. They’ll discuss your circumstances with you and schedule an appropriate time to see you. If your condition is urgent, they may try to work you into the schedule the same day so you don’t have to wait for relief. Then, they may provide additional care instructions over the phone for you to follow until you arrive, like avoiding eating anything on that side of your mouth.
Once you arrive, your provider will examine your condition to let you know if they think they can recement your existing restoration back over your tooth or if it needs to be replaced altogether.
Meet the Author
Dr. Nabeel Ahmed enjoys establishing lasting relationships with patients so he can quickly customize treatment plans to meet their unique needs when a problem arises. He graduated from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry from Western University and continues to dedicate time to continuing education to offer the most up-to-date solutions. Today, he provides a comprehensive menu of treatments to help with everything from basic preventive care to restoring smiles to addressing emergency scenarios. If your dental crown fell off and you need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (416) 551-5224.