Dental crowns are a versatile solution that can be used to protect damaged teeth or help close the gaps left behind by any that have gone missing. These tooth-shaped caps are made from resilient ceramic that’s customized to resemble the color, size, and shape of your natural enamel for beautiful, resilient results.
But that doesn’t mean that dental crowns are invincible. If you eat something too hard or sticky or develop oral issues, like cavities or gum disease, your restoration could fail. Continue reading to learn about 4 steps to take to get help if you’ve lost your dental crown!
Step #1: Locate the Pieces
Whether you developed decay in the underlying tooth that destabilized your restoration, sustained a blow to the face that knocked it out, or bit into something too hard that pushed it out of place, it’s important to try not to swallow any pieces that might still be in your mouth.
Try to find the covering and any bits that might have broken off and rinse them gently under running water to remove bacteria, dirt, or other debris, but handle it with care to avoid further damage.
Step #2: Rinse Your Mouth
Depending on the reason your crown fell out, you should also rinse your mouth out to clean out any residue, blood, or germs that might contribute to an infection. Then, do your best not to eat anything too hard, sticky, crunchy, sugary, or that requires a lot of chewing power to consume.
You may gently brush and floss your teeth if necessary, but avoid using certain products, like whitening toothpaste, that might trigger sensitivity. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush if you have one, and use gentle, circular motions to avoid aggressive scrubbing.
Step #3: Try to Reseat It
Once your mouth is clean, you can try to place your restoration back over your injured tooth to keep it safe and secure until you arrive and your dentist’s office. However, be sure there are no jagged sections of enamel that might be harmed or cause injuries in the process.
If your tooth and crown are both in fair condition, you might be able to temporarily hold it in place with a small amount of dental cement or toothpaste.
Step #4: Contact Your Dentist
If you haven’t already done so, be sure to contact your dentist’s office to let them know what happened. Losing a dental crown doesn’t always necessitate a same-day emergency appointment, but your provider might want to see you sooner rather than later. They can help recement the cap in place or provide a new one if needed to protect the underlying tooth and prevent potential injuries or infection.
Keeping your mouth clean and contacting your provider as quickly as possible can help safeguard your grin if you lose your dental crown!
About the Practice
Patients at Harbor Dental Care benefit from two dentists passionate about helping families build and maintain their most beautiful and healthiest smiles. Dr. Bhat and Dr. Todd share over a decade of combined experience and collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services, including dental crowns, to meet all your needs under one roof. Their caring approach is paired with advanced technology to provide resilient, lifelike restorations intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (410) 228-5445.