The moment you realize you’ve lost a crown is often a complete surprise and may lead you to panic. But it’s a fairly common dental emergency, and one that your dentist can usually handle quickly.
Crowns are a common dental treatment, but as they age they become loose and may eventually fall off. If you’ve lost a crown, don’t panic! Losing a dental crown is a common experience and is generally not cause for alarm. But the situation does need to be addressed as soon as possible by your dentist.
A dental crown is a tooth shaped cap that is placed over a weak or damaged tooth to restore the tooth’s strength and appearance. Dental crowns have many uses including covering cracked teeth or fillings and can also be used for cosmetic purposes. Crowns are bonded to the teeth using special dental cement instead of glue. Teeth are thoroughly cleaned before a crown is put in place, and the crown is sealed to prevent bacteria from getting into the area. Dental crowns often last for 10 years or more, but as most of us know, sometimes all it takes is one wrong bite to throw things out of whack.
The first thing to remember is to remove the broken crown from your mouth right away. If possible, save the crown and bring it with you to your dentist. In some cases, the dentist can put the existing crown back on the tooth. Look inside the crown to see if there are any broken pieces of tooth. Also, take a look in your mouth to look for breakage. Clean the affected area with a toothbrush, rinse well, and make sure to remove all food from the area.
Make an emergency appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. While there are steps you can take to stay comfortable while you wait to see the dentist, getting into the chair as quickly as possible will help make sure your mouth stays healthy and infection-free. When you call, describe what happened to your dentist’s office as clearly as you can.
Once you come in for your appointment, the dentist will determine whether the existing crown can be put back in place or whether a new crown is needed. If your existing crown is damaged and you need a replacement, your dentist will discuss the range of options.
While a loose or removed crown isn’t a serious dental emergency, delaying treatment could lead to one. If your crown falls out, your top priority is getting to the dentist as soon as possible. Delaying your visit could cause other problems such as bacterial infections, gums growing into the empty area, surrounding teeth shifting into the gap, and possible damage to the remaining part of the tooth.
Whether you need a crown repaired or replaced, or are in need of any other dental services, Greenhill Family Dental Care is here to assist you! Call us today to book an appointment, or to answer any additional questions you may have. We look forward to helping you.
