Losing any kind of dental restoration can be stressful. Even though losing a crown is not as severe as knocking out a tooth or having another dental emergency, it is still super important to tend to it as soon as you possibly can. However, it can be especially nerve wracking if you don’t know what steps to take in order to get your crown back into its secure rightful location. Continue reading to learn more from your dentist about what you should do if you have a lost dental crown.
What Should You Do When You Lose a Crown?
The first thing you should do after losing a dental crown is locate it and inspect it. If you can’t find it, there’s no need to panic, but you will need to have a new one made. However, if you are able to, you should locate and inspect it. This is how you know whether or not you need to make your way to your emergency dentist. Here are some signs that you need to head to the dental office as soon as possible:
- 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 the crown came off completely, you aren’t in any pain, and you aren’t facing any significant risks, you should still call your dentist in order to make an appointment. You don’t want to leave your underlying tooth exposed too long. You want to be at the dentist within a week of losing it. They will also give you instructions on what you should do with your crown until you can get to the office.
What Precautions Should You Take Until You See Your Dentist?
During the time between losing your crown and seeing your dentist, you should be extra careful so that you don’t damage the exposed tooth that was underneath. Here’s a few thinks you should be careful about:
- 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 aren’t consuming foods or beverages that are too hot or cold. Stick to a lukewarm or room temperature.
Dental crowns aren’t meant to last forever. If you lose on, there’s no need to panic. Call your dentist so you can get it repaired soon.
About the Author
Dr. Kimber Holmes is a well experienced family dentist serving patients in Pasadena, TX. She earned her DDS from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston and has been practicing in the area for over two decades. She continues to stay current with modern dentistry through post graduate study. For more information or to schedule an urgent appointment with Dr. Holmes, visit her website or call (713) 946-5171.