How to Handle the Situation When a Dental Crown Falls Off

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap which has been cemented over the natural tooth in order to protect it. Sometimes dental crowns can fall off with vigorous chewing or flossing. Here's what to do if this happens to you.

Things You'll Need

• Dentist
• Temporary dental cement

Instructions

1. If your dental crown falls off, the first thing to do is call your dentist to make a same-day or next-day appointment. The dentist will offer you advice for what to do in the meantime.

2. Obtain some temporary dental cement which is available at the drugstore. Clean the crown off as well as the tooth area. Dry both areas with sterile gauze. Apply temporary cement per the instructions on the container or your dentist's instructions.

3. Avoid chewing on the replaced crown, and be aware that the crown may fall off again before you see the dentist. Be cautious not to choke on the crown if it does fall off.

4. Upon visiting the dentist, it is a quick 5-10 minute procedure to reattach the crown. However, if there is further decay under the crown, pain or infection, the tooth will have to be re-prepared by the dentist before the crown can be applied. The dentist will then prepare the tooth again and apply a temporary crown.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring the crown with you to the dentist

• If you will go to dentist same-day or next-day, do not attempt to reattach crown

• If the exposed tooth is painful, you may be able to obtain some temporary filling materal at the drugstore and apply this putty-like substance until you can get to the dentist

• See a dentist immediately for a crown that has fallen off, as an infection may be present

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Dental Emergency Travel KIt