What to Do If Your Dental Crown Falls Off: A Step-by-Step Guide
Dental crowns are vital for preserving the structure of damaged or cracked teeth. Despite their durability, crowns can sometimes come loose due to various reasons. When a dental crown falls off, acting quickly to protect the tooth and contact an emergency dental clinic is essential. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what steps to take and how to prevent future issues.
Immediate Steps to Take If a Dental Crown Falls Off
Locate the Crown: Finding the crown is crucial to prevent swallowing or losing it altogether.
- Assess the Damage: Examine the crown to see if it’s broken into pieces or any part of the tooth is attached.
- Make an Emergency Dental Appointment: The faster a dentist can see the tooth, the better the chances of reattaching the crown or providing a suitable solution. For example, you can call us, as we are an emergency dentist in Markham, to schedule an appointment.
- Clean and Store the Crown: Gently clean the crown and place it in a plastic bag or container. This prevents further damage and helps the dentist in the reattachment process.
- Protect the Tooth: Use temporary measures like dental wax or gauze to cover the exposed tooth. Temporary dental cement can also be used for protection.
- Watch What You Eat: Avoid eating on the side of the mouth where the crown was. Avoid hard, chewy, sticky, or crunchy foods. Extremely hot or cold foods should also be avoided to prevent aggravating the tooth.
Why Do Dental Crowns Fall Off?
Understanding why a dental crown might fall off can help prevent it. Several factors contribute to crown detachment:
- Infection Under the Crown: Bacteria can accumulate beneath the crown, leading to a disease that weakens the bond.
- Poor Fit or Insufficient Bonding: A crown that doesn’t fit well or isn’t appropriately bonded can quickly come loose.
- Routine Teeth Grinding: Grinding teeth can put excessive pressure on crowns, causing them to loosen over time.
- Eating Sticky or Hard Foods: Foods that are sticky or hard can pull on the crown or cause it to break.
- Weakening Tooth Structure: The underlying tooth can weaken, making it difficult for the crown to stay attached.
- Crown Material Quality: The durability of the crown material matters. Metal crowns are generally more durable than porcelain or resin polymer crowns.
Tips to Prevent Future Dental Crown Issues
Preventative measures can help ensure dental crowns stay intact for a more extended period:
- Avoid Chewing on Ice and Hard Foods: These can put undue pressure on the crown.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush twice daily and floss regularly to clean teeth and crowns.
- Use an Interdental Brush: This helps clean the areas where the crown meets the gumline.
- Wear a Mouthguard: If teeth grinding is a habit, a mouthguard can protect both teeth and crowns from damage.
Markham 7 Dental: Your Emergency Dental Clinic
At Markham 7 Dental, our focus is on providing prompt and effective emergency dental care. As a trusted emergency dental clinic in Markham, we know Mouth injuries can happen unexpectedly, and immediate attention is crucial to prevent further complications. Whether it’s a knocked-out tooth, severe cracks or chips, or painful abscesses and toothaches, we can handle these emergencies efficiently.
We ensure minimal wait times compared to hospital emergency rooms, offering quick relief and professional care when needed. Even non-emergency situations, like minor tooth chips or issues with braces, are addressed with expert guidance and timely appointments. Markham 7 Dental’s team is always ready to provide medical attention, ensuring the best outcomes for every patient.
For any dental emergencies or to schedule an appointment for a damaged crown, contact Markham 7 Dental. Our team is ready to provide the necessary care and ensure the health and integrity of dental crowns and overall oral health.
