Noticing that a dental crown fell out isn't an outright emergency, but you’ll still need to schedule an appointment with our office to get the restoration replaced. While you wait to see our Troy, MI, family dentist, it's important to protect your tooth so it stays intact in its vulnerable state.
Here’s what you'll need to do if you’re in need of treatment for a loose dental crown.
Is a Broken Dental Crown an Emergency?
As mentioned above, a isn’t a dental emergency in the strictest sense. The only time you'd need to call our local emergency dentist for urgent dental crown repair is if you have severe pain, significant swelling, or the jagged edges of the crown are sharp. In the latter situation, you may need emergency dental care so you don't cut your tongue or cheeks by accident. Otherwise, getting a dental crown repaired can wait a few days until your scheduled appointment.
What Should I Do if a Crown Falls Off?
Don't panic. If your , the first thing you'll need to do is call our Troy, MI, dental office. We'll be able to fit you in our schedule as soon as possible, which may be several days from now. Use over-the-counter pain relievers as needed to reduce any pain or discomfort.
If your dental crown is intact, we recommend buying some dental cement from your local pharmacy. Next, you'll want to clean the inside of your custom dental crown. Apply the dental cement to your actual tooth and place your dental crown on top. Hold the dental crown in place until the cement dries.
If you instead have a fractured dental crown, we still recommend keeping it to show our dentist. We may be able to re-use your dental crown if it's in good condition. In the meantime, mold dental wax over your tooth so it's protected.
You'll want to use the same dental wax that's used to push errant wire braces back into place. Most pharmacies sell dental wax, but feel free to ask a store associate if you’re having trouble finding it.
Can a Dental Crown Be Removed and Reused?
Yes, a dental crown can potentially be reused after falling out but it depends on the condition of the restoration. If your dental crown is in one piece, our dentist may be able to place it back on your tooth. Otherwise, we may need to make a new tooth crown for you.
If you need a new dental crown, our dentist will need to take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab. We'll then place a temporary crown over your tooth. When you return for your second appointment, your permanent crown will be ready.
Can I Still Eat If My Dental Crown Falls Out?
Yes, but with a you need to protect your tooth first. (See the section above about what you should do if your crown falls off.) Once you protect your tooth, you'll be able to eat.
That said, you'll need to stay away from foods that are hard to chew or sticky. That way, you won't pull off your crown again by accident or damage your tooth. It's also best if you chew on the side opposite of your dental crown to avoid aggravating the area or damaging the tooth further.
What Happens if You Swallow Your Dental Crown?
Call a medical doctor immediately if you think you swallowed your crown by accident. There's a chance you could have instead aspirated it, meaning your dental crown would be in your lungs. A medical doctor will be able to take x-rays to see where your dental crown went. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
If you indeed swallowed your dental crown, it should pass in a few days. Dental crowns are small and smooth, which makes it easy for them to pass through the digestive tract.
Make an Appointment Today
Dr. Kelly M. Giera is an emergency dentist in Troy, MI. To request an appointment for emergency dental care, call Mosaic Dental at (248) 528-2270.
This blog post has been updated.
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