Come back, Crown! What to Do When a Dental Crown Falls Out
Posted on: 13 April 2018
Dental crowns are a remarkable aspect of cosmetic dentistry. Whether the crown has been used to encase a damaged tooth, or if it has been used in conjunction with a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, the result both looks like a real tooth, and just as importantly, can be used like a real one too. But there might be times when the prosthetic crown detaches, whether it's because of an accident or injury, or the dental bonding agent failing in its job to anchor the crown (although the latter only occurs when a crown has been affixed to an existing tooth). It can be both inconvenient and uncomfortable when you lose a dental crown, so what's the best way to solve the problem?
Don't Swallow
Be as careful as possible not to swallow the crown. If it enters your body, it's gone (even though it will re emerge before too long). If it does disappear in this manner, a new crown will need to be made and attached.
Keep It Safe
Delicately remove the crown from your mouth. Keep it in a small container for transportation to your dentist. If it's undamaged, it should be able to be reattached as is.
Visit Your Dentist
Arrange to see a dentist as soon as possible—ideally the same dentist who fitted the crown. It's important to have the site examined and the crown reattached as soon as possible.
In the Interim
Be mindful about what you eat and drink while the crown is missing. You might experience increased sensitivity while the crown is missing, especially when a root canal has been performed on the underlying tooth. This is simply because what was once safely covered (such as the hollow inner portion of the underlying tooth) is now exposed. Sensitivity can be aggravated by anything that is too hot (or spicy) or too cold. Consume with caution. If you should experience discomfort, over the counter pain relief can be beneficial.
Underlying Issues
Your dentist will need to determine the cause of the problem. In a best case scenario, a new application of bonding agent will simply be needed. However, a problem with the underlying tooth will need to be ruled out. If the tooth has experienced degradation which has changed its surface area, then this might have destabilised the crown. Such an issue would need to be treated before the crown can be permanently reattached.
Without too much effort, you will be proudly wearing your crown again before too long.
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