I Lost a Dental Crown! What Do I Do?

Losing a Dental Crown Can Be Stressful

The loss of any dental restoration can lead to high level of stress.  Having a tooth knocked out or another dental emergency is much more serious than losing a dental crown.  However, it should not be taken lightly, and it is extremely important to tend to it as soon as possible.

The stressful part for most is not knowing what steps to take in order to get your crown back into its secure rightful location.  At this point, we will relay some information that may ease the anxiety.

What Should You Do When You Lose a Crown?

First off, locate the lost crown.  Once found, carefully inspect it.  If you cannot find it, there is no need to panic, we can easily have a new one made.

How do you know if you need to make an emergency visit to Summerfield Family Dentistry?  Look for these signs:

• The crown or underlying tooth has a jagged edge that could damage the soft tissues in your mouth.
• You are in a significant amount of pain.
• You are unable to remove the crown entirely.
• The crown is dangling in a way that makes it a choking hazard.

If none of the above has occurred and If the crown has come off completely, you are not in any pain, and you are not facing any significant risks, then you should still call your dentist in to make an appointment.  Why? You do not want to leave your underlying tooth exposed for an extended period of time.  We recommend seeing the dentist within a week of losing it.

The Summerfield Family Dentistry professionals will provide instructions on what to do with your crown until you can get to the office.

What Precautions Should You Take Until You See Your Dentist?

Not damaging the exposed tooth underneath the crown is extremely important while waiting to see the dentist. Here are a few things to be careful of:

• Be careful while practicing oral hygiene. You should brush gently and thoroughly using a soft bristled toothbrush twice a day. Be sure to inspect the area and make sure nothing is being damaged around the underlying tooth.
• You should be avoiding sticky and chewy foods.
• Make sure that you are not consuming foods or beverages that are too hot or cold. Stick to a lukewarm or room temperature.

Dental crowns are not meant to last forever. If you lose on, there is no need to panic. Call your Summerfield Family Dentist to get it repaired. 336-643-1440.