While a lost dental crown might seem like a panic-worthy situation, the truth is that it is not as urgent as other serious emergencies (i.e., a knocked-out tooth or severe toothache). You do not want to wait too long to seek help, but you are not sure how to handle the situation until it is time to see your dentist. The good news is that there are helpful tips you can use to minimize any further damage until you can get in for professional help. Read on to learn what you should do when faced with losing a customized restoration.
What Can Cause a Person to Lose a Crown?
There are several reasons you might suffer the loss of a dental crown, some of which include:
- Facial trauma. If you are playing sports or engaging in any kind of physical activity, there is a chance you could suffer some form of dental trauma. If you are not wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth, your restoration is at risk of becoming damaged or lost.
- It needs to be replaced. Dental crowns are not meant to last forever. The longest you might have your restoration is 10-15 years, so if it is nearing the time you would need to have it replaced, it might fall out.
- You eat something hard. This is not to say that eating one hard piece of food will cause your crown to fall out, but it is important that you limit how much hard and crunchy food you eat, as certain items can result in damage to your crown.
Tips to Manage Your Dental Emergency
When faced with a lost dental crown, you will want to make sure that you follow some instructions to avoid more serious damage or infection. When calling your dentist’s office to alert them to the situation, they will likely tell you to:
- Retrieve the crown, if possible, and inspect it for any surface damage. You should also plan to examine your tooth to determine if it sustained any injuries.
- You can use dental cement to temporarily re-attach it over your tooth, but if you are not comfortable doing this, keep it in a protective case and bring it with you to your appointment. It may be possible for your dentist to re-bond it.
- Avoid certain foods such as anything sticky or chewy. Also, stay away from extremely hot or cold foods, as your tooth will likely be sensitive.
- Continue to brush your teeth as normal but be careful around the exposed tooth and tissues.
When meeting with your dentist, they may be able to re-attach it; however, if this is not possible, a new crown will need to be created to better protect your smile. No matter the result, following these guidelines will ensure that your underlying tooth remains damage- and infection-free until you see your dentist.
About the Author
Dr. John Ludu and his team at Devoted Family Dental are here to save smiles. When helping patients dealing with dental emergencies, they are available to offer assistance the same day. However, when a lost dental crown is the problem, they can offer helpful tips for patients to follow until it is time for their appointment. Contact us at (623) 444-6222 to learn how we can help you avoid additional damage while waiting to see a member of our team.