What to Do if a Dental Crown Falls Out or Feels Loose
Dental crowns sit over damaged teeth to replace missing tooth structure and protect the nerves and roots from infection-causing bacteria. Dental crowns are durable restorations that enhance oral health, functions, and aesthetics. Unfortunately, wear, injury, and other factors can weaken or damage crowns, making them loose or causing them to fall out.
A dental crown that is loose or falls out compromises oral functions and makes the underlying tooth vulnerable to decay and infection. Emergency dentists at Fairfax Family Dental Care advise their Fairfax, VA, dental patients what to do if a dental crown falls out or feels loose. Prompt care and attention are vital to preserving oral health and functions.
What Causes a Crown to Loosen or Fall Out?
Dental crowns are meant to stay in place and provide a protective layer of strength to weak or damaged teeth. Unfortunately, several factors can compromise dental crowns, causing them to loosen or fall out. Some of the most common causes of a loose or lost crown include:
- Poor restoration design (the crown doesn’t fit properly)
- Improper bonding technique
- Bad dental habits (teeth grinding, biting on non-food objects, poor oral hygiene, etc.)
- Regular consumption of hard, sticky foods
- Weakening of underlying tooth structure
What to Do About a Loose Crown
Before a dental crown falls out, it may become loose. People may notice that a crown feels loose when touching it with their fingers or tongue, or they may feel the crown wiggling when they bite down. If a crown feels loose, patients should report it to our Fairfax dental office and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Until the dental appointment, individuals should avoid biting directly down with the crown or adjacent teeth.
What to Do When a Crown Falls Out
When a dental crown falls out it poses a big risk to the underlying tooth. The tooth is vulnerable to infection, and oral pain is likely to develop. Our Fairfax patients can take several steps to preserve the natural tooth and protect a dental crown after it falls out.
- Locate the crown
- Clean the crown by rinsing it with lukewarm water
- Place the crown in a plastic bag or container
- Assess the damage (is the crown solid or broken in pieces?)
- Call and schedule an emergency dentist appointment
- Seal or protect the tooth until the dentist appointment (protective options include gauze, wax, and temporary dental cement)
- Refrain from biting or chewing on the tooth with the loose or missing crown
- Bring your crown to your dentist appointment
Can My Crown Be Repaired?
Whenever possible, we advise patients to bring their dental crown to their dentist appointment after it falls out. If the crown is not damaged and fits properly, it can be bonded back in place at minimal cost to the patient. If a crown is damaged beyond repair or falls out due to size or fit issues, the crown will require replacement. Our dentists can take dental impressions and design a new crown that fits comfortably and securely.
Contact Fairfax Family Dental Care
When a dental crown is loose or falls out it can lead to further dental complications. To restore oral health and functions, contact Fairfax Family Dental Care and request an emergency dentist appointment as soon as possible.