Although dental crowns are incredibly durable, it’s possible for them to become dislodged. This sometimes happens if you’ve recently bitten into something hard, but can also occur if you’ve been injured in some way that knocked it out. No matter the cause, it’s normal to feel somewhat anxious that your dental work has fallen out. That stress is only compounded if you don’t know where to go or what to do next. If you’ve found yourself in this unfortunate circumstance, you can follow the 6 steps below until you can be seen by your dentist.
Step #1: Stay Calm
The best way to help yourself from the get-go is to take a few deep, calming breaths. This will lower your heart rate and clear your mind so you can focus on what needs to happen next.
Step #2: Call Your Dentist
Though it’s not necessarily always considered an emergency, if your dental crown has fallen out then your dentist will want to see you as soon as possible. They won’t want to risk the damage that could happen to your now-exposed tooth by waiting too long. If they’re unable to make time for you immediately, they might provide special care instructions over the phone for you to follow.
Then, once you have your appointment scheduled there are a few things you can do in the meantime while you wait.
Step #3: Find the Dental Crown
Find and retrieve your lost dental crown if possible. If it came loose but stayed in your mouth, be careful not to swallow it! Once you have found it, carefully rinse it clean of any debris. Then you can store it in a plastic bag somewhere safe that you’ll remember to take with you to the dentist.
Step #4: Try To Replace It
If you’re able, it can be helpful to replace the crown temporarily until your dentist can complete the repair. This can be tricky, though, if the underlying tooth is broken or damaged. You’ll need to be careful not to cause any further injury. You can use temporary crown cement if you have it, or a tiny dab of toothpaste, to stick it into position for the time being.
Step #5: Avoid Chewing on That Side
Don’t eat hard or chewy foods, especially on the side of your mouth missing a dental crown. The tooth below it is now unprotected and susceptible to harm and infection.
Step #6: Manage Discomfort
If you’re feeling any pain from the incident, it’s usually perfectly acceptable to take over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen. If there’s any swelling, you can try pressing an ice pack or cold compress to the area.
Now you’re all set until it’s time to see the dentist. They’ll either replace or repair your restoration so that your pearly white is safe and protected for years to come!
About the Practice
Our skilled dentists at Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Lansing provide a full array of dental services including restorative services and emergency dentistry. We’ll go out of our way to see you as soon as possible if your dental crown falls out. Our patients benefit from the expertise of our multiple specialists so that whatever work needs to be done, you’ve come to the right place! You’re welcome to request an appointment on our website or by calling (517) 333-3160.