When Are Dental Crowns Necessary? Understanding The Basics

Dental crowns are built to last, but that doesn’t mean they can’t fall out or be pulled off of your tooth prematurely. Crowns often come out when you eat soft or sticky foods like caramel or taffy. This may be the result of adhesive failing, but a crown can also fall out if your enamel that has been supporting the crown begins to decay.  If your dental crown falls out, here’s a step-by-step guide that will get you through: 

Step 1: Contact Your Dentist Right Away

Schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist like Dr. Salesky. A pulled-out crown is a serious dental emergency. The underlying tooth is weak and unprotected, and it may feel sensitive or painful. To avoid further complications, it’s important to get your crown reattached ASAP. 

Step 2: Recover & Rinse Off Your Crown

As long as your crown is in good shape, it should be possible to simply reattach it to your tooth. This will save you both time and money compared to having a new crown manufactured. If your crown is dirty or covered in food, rinse it off gently with warm water. Then, put it into a plastic bag or container where it’s easily accessible. Bring it with you to the dentist so it can be reattached.

Step 3: Protect Your Tooth Until Your Appointment (If Necessary)

Ideally, you should get emergency dental care on the same day your crown falls out. But sometimes, this might not be possible. The underlying tooth is likely quite sore and tender, since it’s no longer being protected by the crown. If your tooth is hurting a lot, you can take a few steps to protect it. You can buy temporary dental cement from the drugstore. This product lets you create a protective coating that will protect your tooth, but is easily removed by your dentist. Another option is dental wax, which you can also get at the drugstore. Just form a lump of wax around your tooth, and it will temporarily be protected. However, you should still avoid chewing on this side of your mouth until you see a dentist.

Step 4: Get Your Crown Reattached Or Replaced

Don’t delay. Make sure to see Dr. Salesky right away. If your crown and tooth are in good shape, it can simply be reattached with dental cement, and this repair will last for years to come. However, it may be possible that either the crown or tooth is damaged, making crown reattachment inadvisable. If this is the case, Dr. Salesky will discuss your options for crown replacement. Need A Crown Replaced Or Reattached? Call Us Today!  At Southington Dentistry, we offer same-day emergency appointments in Southington, Wolcott and Plantsville. To get started, just contact us at (860) 628-5029, or feel free to stop by our office at 15 Cornerstone Ct #3a, Plantsville, CT 06479. Don’t wait. Get the help you need to restore your smile right away.