Crowns on teeth are a common treatment option for damaged or decayed tooth enamel. The crowns are prosthetic restorations that are cemented on teeth, essentially replacing the visible portion of a tooth above the gum line.
Although the crowns are meant to be permanent, dental crown complications can cause them to fall out or become loose. Typical causes include a crown that is aging or eating something hard or very sticky.
While discovering that your crown is loose or has fallen out may be shocking, it is manageable if you follow these tips.
Loose Crowns:
- Contact your dentist immediately to set up an appointment to assess the crown’s fit. Your dental professional will determine if it can be re-fit or if a replacement is necessary.
- Be extra careful when eating so as not to loosen the crown further.
Missing Crowns:
- Don’t panic! Your dentist knows how to assess and fix the problem.
- Find the crown right away. Did you accidentally swallow the crown? If so, call your medical doctor for advice. Your doctor will determine whether a chest x-ray is required. A medical professional will need to make sure it is in your digestive tract, not your windpipe!
- If you find the crown, place it in a secure container. If the tooth has no damage or the underlying tooth does not have further decay, it may be possible to reattach it.
- Contact your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment.
- Over the counter (OTC) dental cement is available at most pharmacies. Please, do not try to attempt to fix the issue yourself.
- Avoid eating chewy or sticky foods or drinking hot or cold beverages until replacement or re-attachment of the crown.
- Consider taking an OTC pain relief medication if you experience discomfort.
- Continue to brush and floss your teeth, taking care to avoid the area with the missing crown.
If you have questions about a loose crown, loose filling or need a bi-annual teeth cleaning or an emergency dentist appointment, please call Shorewood Family Dental Care at 815-725-5991. We are a family dentist near Joliet, IL; conveniently located off of East Jefferson Street, just off of highway I-55.
