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So Your Dental Crown Fell Off. Now What?
Gateway Family Dental in Murfreesboro has seen plenty of patients who come into our office panicking because one of their crowns fell off.
Fortunately, this is a common problem that can be fixed.
Here’s what you should do if it happens to you.
Step #1: Take the Crown Out of Your Mouth, Examine It
When a crown falls off, don’t leave it in your mouth. Doing so could cause you to accidentally swallow it or inhale it. A broken crown can also have jagged edges which can damage the soft tissue in the mouth and gums and further damage the tooth root that is now exposed.
If you can’t find the crown, or you’ve accidentally swallowed it, don’t panic. The majority of crowns pass through the digestive tract without issue.
If the crown isn’t damaged, you can try to set it back in place using over-the-counter dental cement.
This can prevent the vulnerable tooth beneath the crown from further damage.
It’s important to note that a broken crown held in place by dental cement needs to be fixed by your dentist immediately.
Step #2: Contact Your Dentist
After you’ve checked your crown for damage, you should immediately call your dentist to schedule an appointment to have your crown reattached. If you wait too long, bacteria can penetrate the underlying tooth and create an infection. When this happens, you may need to get a root canal.
If you can keep the crown in tact, it’s likely that your dentist can reattach it.
If you swallowed the crown or can’t find it, your dentist will need to manufacture a new one. You’ll receive a temporary dental crown while you wait for your new crown
to be molded.
Step #3: Put the Undamaged Crown in a Safe Place
If you don’t feel comfortable placing your crown back in your mouth, you should store it in a safe place while you wait for your dentist appointment.
Place the detached crown in a plastic baggy or wrap it in a paper towel and secure it. Bring it with you to your dentist appointment so your dentist can evaluate whether or not it can be reattached.
The exposed tooth beneath a broken crown may be extremely sensitive and painful. If it is, applying clove oil to the tooth can help relieve some of the discomfort. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication.
Gateway Family Dentistry in Murfreesboro specializes in dental crowns, including reattaching crowns that have fallen off. We pride ourselves on creating a comfortable office environment so every patient feels at ease.
Contact us today
to schedule your appointment.
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