Lost Crown? What To Do and Steps to Take

You’re enjoying lunch when you feel a sudden shift in your mouth. If you have had work done, your first thought might be that your crown came off. Your second thought could be a bit of panic that your dental crown fell out and all of the possible repercussions.

Knowing what to do if you lose a crown could save you and your tooth a lot of trouble. So, let’s talk about what to expect and what steps to take if your dental crown falls out.

My Crown Fell Out, What Should I Do?

A dental crown is a sort of cap on a damaged tooth. Since the caps weren’t made to last forever, it’s not uncommon to lose a crown. Maybe the cap fell off the tooth because you were in an accident or you chewed something that pulled it loose. Regardless of how it happened, if your permanent crown fell out you need to do something about it.

The best thing you can do when a crown falls off is to retrieve it. If you saved the lost crown, you may be able to replace it with a bit of toothpaste or vaseline as a temporary fix.

It is possible to lose the crown or accidentally swallow it. When the crown came off, it left your tooth unprotected, so it’s important to clean the area properly. You should carefully monitor the tooth to keep debris out until you can see your dentist.

Is Losing a Crown an Emergency?

Though it can be a little scary, a lost crown isn’t usually a dental emergency. That said, there are a few situations that may require emergency dental care.

• You have significant pain or signs of trauma.
• The crown is still partially attached and could be a choking hazard.
• You can’t completely remove the crown or put it back in place.

While most cases aren’t life-threatening your tooth remains unprotected. You should contact your dentist to make an appointment to have the tooth examined and the crown replaced as soon as possible.