Dental crowns can last for 10 years or longer if they receive proper care. However, they do eventually reach the end of their lifespan. They might even fall out unexpectedly! If that ever happens to you, do not panic. There are practical steps you can take to protect your exposed tooth and get your smile’s health back on track ASAP. Here’s what you should do:
Call Your Dentist
As soon as you lose the crown, call your dentist and tell them what happened. They can provide personalized instructions to help you handle the situation, and they can book an emergency appointment for you. It is important that you seek professional care right away; otherwise, your exposed tooth could suffer further harm.
Attempt to Reattach the Crown
In some situations, it is both possible and advisable to temporarily reattach a lost crown. Here is how you can do so:
- Carefully clean both the crown and your exposed tooth. Your tooth may be extra-sensitive, so gentleness is important!
- Figure out how the crown fits on your tooth. If you force the crown onto your tooth, you could end up damaging your restoration and causing yourself pain. The crown should fit easily.
- Reattach the crown. You can do this with a tiny dab of toothpaste or temporary crown cement from a drugstore. Do not use any products that are not intended for use in the mouth. For example, you would never want to use super glue or other household adhesives.
Be Careful with Your Crown and Tooth
Until you are able to see your dentist, you should be very careful about how you treat your crown and the underlying tooth.
- Do not use the crown to chew.
- Avoid sticky, hard, and chewy foods.
- Be gentle when brushing and flossing your teeth.
What to Expect at Your Dental Appointment
Your dentist might be able to recement your crown into place. However, if the crown or underlying tooth has been damaged, you may require further restorative care. For example, you could need an entirely new crown. Your dentist will talk to you about your treatment options and help you make a well-informed decision about how to move forward.
Losing a dental crown can seem like a scary situation, but if you take some simple steps, your smile could be complete and strong again before you know it!
Meet the Practice
The team at Orbis Dental Group is proud to provide high-quality, conservative dental care to the San Antonio community. We welcome emergency patients, and we are even able to provide new crowns on a same-day basis in many cases. If you have urgent concerns about your oral health, we are ready to assist you! Get in touch with us at 210-496-1919.