Royal Rescue: What to Do If You Lose a Dental Crown

Dental crowns are a versatile way to restore the appearance and functionality of a damaged or treated tooth. They’re usually made from resilient ceramic that can be customized to resemble your natural enamel seamlessly and can last anywhere from 5 to 15+ years if cared for correctly.

However, that doesn’t mean your dental cap is impervious to harm. For instance, if you develop cavities or eat foods that are too hard or sticky, it might eventually fall out. If you’ve lost your crown and are unsure what to do, read on to learn 3 steps to take to get the help you need!

Step #1: Find the Pieces

Whether you lost your crown because the underlying tooth developed decay or disease, or you accidentally bit into something that pushed or yanked it out of place, it’s natural to feel anxious about possible next steps.

The very first thing you should do is try to locate the pieces of your dental crown, which could still be in your mouth, so be careful not to swallow them. If it’s mostly intact and still in good condition, your dentist may be able to repurpose it by cementing it back in place, so you’ll want to take it with you to your appointment.

Step #2: Rinse It Clean

If you sustained an injury or blow to the face that knocked your restoration out of your mouth, you might be bleeding or have dirt or other debris that needs to be washed away to prevent infection. You can rinse your mouth with water to gently disinfect it, but you should avoid brushing or flossing the recently exposed tooth until it has fully healed, as you might cause further harm.

Then thoroughly rinse your dental crown to remove bacteria and residue before storing it in a safe place.

Step #3: Reseat or Store It

It is sometimes possible to place your dental crown back over your tooth with a small amount of dental cement or sugarless chewing gum. However, you may want to ensure there are no jagged enamel edges that you might damage in the process. Please do not use superglue or other household supplies, which are not intended for oral use and can be toxic if ingested.

If you’re unable to set your restoration where it belongs, you can tuck it in an airtight baggy or container to take with you when you leave to go to the dentist.

The final step is to contact your dentist for an appropriate appointment time. Although lost restorations aren’t always considered an emergency, the underlying tooth is vulnerable to additional disease, injuries, and cavities until your crown is repaired or replaced. Depending on your circumstances, your provider might schedule a same-day visit to safeguard your smile!

About the Practice

Patients at Orange Place Family Dentistry benefit from two dentists who are eager to help families in and around Beachwood build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Mollica and Dr. Koops collaborate to offer a complete array of top-quality services to people of all ages, including providing lifelike dental crowns. Their caring approach is combined with advanced technology, including an in-house dental laboratory, to provide accurate treatment results while reducing potential wait times. You can request an appointment on the website or call (216) 464-2448.