What to Do When Your Old Crown Falls Out

Dental crowns are a common solution for damaged or missing teeth. But what happens if they fall out? If this has happened to you, here’s what to do next.

When it comes to replacing teeth, few methods have the history of dental crowns, which date back to Ancient Egypt. However, widespread use of this dental appliance started in the 19th century. In modern times, crowns are crafted from ceramic, porcelain, composite materials, or metals like zirconia.

Modern dental crowns can last 15 or more years. However, they can fall out. If that happens, you’ll need to know how to deal with the situation until the crown can be replaced.

People in the Richmond Hill, Georgia, area dealing with dental crowns that have fallen out can get help from Dr. Nils Anderson and our dedicated staff at Village Dental.

Reasons a crown might fall out

Temporary crowns may fall out because the cement is not the same as that used for the permanent restoration. For permanent crowns, here are the most common causes:

Chips and cracks

Porcelain and composite crowns can chip and crack. A large enough crack can cause the entire crown to break away.

Looseness

The cement can give way, causing the crown to loosen. Loose crowns also carry the risk of bacteria.

Tooth decay

If the crown is covering a natural tooth and it begins to decay, that can cause the crown to loosen.

What to do after it falls out

If your crown falls out, keep it in a safe place and bring it with you to your appointment. Our team might be able to reattach it.

If you need a new crown, we can offer a temporary one until your new one arrives from the lab.

While you’re waiting for your permanent restoration, avoid chewing sticky or hard foods. Instead, eat soft foods. Gently brush your teeth to avoid irritating the area.

How to avoid losing a crown

Sometimes, the issue is simply that the dental cement gave way or the fitting was a bit off. In those cases, there isn’t much you can do to avoid the crown falling out. However, here are the things you can control:

Avoid certain foods: hard, sticky, and chewy foods can chip and loosen crowns

Brush and floss regularly: proper brushing and flossing reduces the risk of decay

Use a mouthguard: if you grind your teeth, a mouthguard prevents damage

Visit our office regularly: we can make sure teeth are healthy and check the crown

Having a crown fall out can be frustrating, but we can fix the problem. For repairs, make an appointment with Dr. Anderson and Village Dental today.