Imagine this: you are going about your day, maybe off on an adventure or trying a friend’s special recipe. Everything seems fine until you feel something different; suddenly you feel something that should not be moving around within your mouth. You investigate this oddity and discover the culprit; one of your dental crowns has become dislodged. Most patients receive a crown to treat cracked or damaged tooth. This maintains the shape and resilience of the tooth.
With sufficient care from a family dentist, crowns can last over a decade. We at the Victory Plaza Dental Group understand that decay and damage can dislodge a crown. In such circumstances, you should contact your local North Hollywood dentist or expert in children dental care. The rest of this article will answer many frequently asked questions about dislodged dental crowns.
What Is a Dental Crown and Why Is It Used?
Dental crowns are caps designed to resemble teeth that go over teeth that are structurally compromised. When teeth are weakened, broken, or decayed, crowns can return them close to functionality, covering them like hard hats. Establishing the crown requires shaping the tooth’s enamel to support the crown’s bond. Crowns are made of many substances, including ceramic, metal, porcelain, and resin.
Why Do Dental Crowns Fall Off?
One of the most common scenarios for a dental crown to fall off would be an infection. The infected tooth becomes a haven for bacteria that erode the remaining tooth and compromise the crown’s bond. A handful of other common scenarios that lead to loose crowns include:
- A bad fit.
- Insufficient bonding during installation.
- Habitually grinding your teeth.
- A diet rich in sticky or hard foods like candy, apples, and ribs.
- Erosion of the tooth.
The crown’s material can also influence the likelihood of falling off. The stronger the material, the better it withstands grinding and biting hard foods. Metal is the sturdiest crown material, resin polymer is the weakest, and porcelain is right in the middle of the durability scale.
What Should I Do Immediately If My Crown Falls Off?
If you notice that your crown has fallen off but it can move around in your mouth, avoid swallowing. Feel around for the crown and check whether it is a single piece or has shattered into fragments. Also, check the affected tooth. Next, clean the crown and store it in something safe.
After the discarded crown has been contained, you must look after the compromised tooth until you can see a dentist. Common solutions to safeguarding a crown’s tooth include wax, gauze, or visiting a store for some short-term dental cement. During this time, your tooth’s nerves and tissue will be vulnerable to decay; minimize eating or chewing anything on the crown’s side of your mouth until it regains a crown.
Should I Keep the Dislodged Crown?
If you have ever pondered a solution to this question, that is a great instinct. Be sure to keep your crown if it is dislodged but unbroken. In the best circumstances, your dentist can reattach the crown, costing less than it would to manufacture and fit a replacement crown.
Can I Reattach the Crown Myself?
If you cannot find a dentist for emergency treatment to re-bond the crown, it is possible to reattach it by yourself as a temporary measure. First, check that the crown is whole and clean. Scrape away any excess dental cement with something like a toothpick until the crown’s interior color matches its exterior. Be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry the crown, then acquire some temporary dental cement.
When you are ready to reattach the crown, thoroughly rinse your mouth clean; if your tooth is sensitive to cold, use lukewarm water and gently swish it around your mouth. This cleansing will minimize the chance of trapping bacteria under the crown upon being reattached.
- Squirt a modest amount of cement into the crown’s interior.
- Use a toothpick or other narrow tool to quickly spread the cement around the entire inner portion of the crown.
- Place the crown back over the tooth, being mindful to check the alignment with your mouth by biting down.
- Floss off any excess cement that may have seeped out.
How Should I Store a Fallen Dental Crown?
A plastic bag, a jewel case for earrings, or just about any other resilient container is perfectly fine for storing a crown. All you need to look for is something that will prevent the crown from becoming further damaged and maintain its chances of being reattached.
How Soon Should I See a Dentist? Is It an Emergency If My Crown Falls Off?
In an ideal world, you should be able to see your dentist the same day that your crown falls off of your tooth. To be blunt, the sooner you can be seen about your compromised crown, the better off you will be. Any time that a crown falls out is most definitely an emergency. When making your emergency appointment, be ready to describe the conditions of your crown and its tooth.
What Happens If I Dont Fix a Fallen Crown?
If you skip fixing a fallen crown, you leave your compromised tooth at the mercy of further destruction and decay.
Can the Original Crown be Reused or Will I Need a New One?
While this is a possibility, the answer depends entirely on the quality of the crown and your dentist’s opinion.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix or Replace a Dental Crown? Will Insurance Cover the Cost of Repairing or Replacing a Dental Crown?
Returning a crown to a tooth can cost anywhere from $800 to $3,500. The great degree of variance depends on the condition of the crown, the tooth, and the patient. Dental insurance will almost certainly cover some, if not all, of this cost.
See also: Pediatric Dentist Who Accepts Medical in North Hollywood
What Foods or Habits Should I Avoid After My Crown Falls Off?
Even after using temporary dental cement until your appointment, avoid anything hard, sticky, hot, and/or cold. While stickiness and hardness are obvious problems, food and drinks that are exceptionally hot can soften the cement; anything exceptionally cold, like ice cream, can painfully irritate the dental nerve. Use a mouthguard if you tend to grind your teeth.
Can a Temporary Crown Be Used While Waiting For Treatment? How Can I Prevent My Dental Crown From Falling Off Again?
Keep up a good routine of dental hygiene. Minimize the role of hard, sticky foods in your diet while also getting plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus. Avoid habits that could damage your teeth like biting, grinding, or chewing on non-food items like nails and erasers.
In Conclusion
It can be alarming when a crown falls off but it is not the end of the world. Most of the time, it is even possible to return the crown to its tooth. If you need a dental crown or your crown falls off, do not hesitate to contact Victory Plaza Dental Group. We would love to schedule a consultation with you to fix the problem for you or a loved one and restore that smile to normal.