Protecting Our Kids' Smiles

Dental crowns are protective caps, commonly placed to strengthen and protect a tooth which has been damaged or filled in the past. Dental crowns are an excellent choice to protect these more delicate teeth while giving an excellent cosmetic result, but occasionally they can cause problems that may lead to you seeking out emergency dental care.

My dental crown has fallen off!

Dental crowns can fall off for multiple reasons, including trauma to the tooth, dental decay or eating particularly hard or chewy foods. If your crown falls off, try to locate it, as your dentist may be able to reattach it. Keep it in a clean, cool and safe place. Make an appointment to see your dentist and let the receptionist know what has happened. It's important to get seen as soon as is practical, as the tooth beneath your crown can be easily damaged. This is because enamel is removed when shaping your tooth prior to crown placement, exposing more delicate tissue. Your other teeth can also move in your jaw relative to the previously crowned tooth, which may make it impossible to refit your crown.

At your appointment, your dentist will carefully examine the tooth and your crown. They will be checking if you have any underlying decay or fractures in the tooth which have caused the crown to come loose. They will also examine the crown to see if it has any structural flaws or if it can be safely cemented back onto your tooth.

My dental crown has fallen off...and now I have a toothache!

The delicate tissue exposed when a crown falls off can be more sensitive to cold and pain. If your crown fell off due to decay in the tooth underneath, then your pain may also be from the now-exposed cavity. If your crown falls off and leaves you with a severe pain, you need to contact your emergency dental service. Being seen early means you will be treated quickly, relieving your pain and reducing the risk of further damage to your teeth.

My crown has cracked!

Sometimes dental crowns can crack without coming loose. You may notice the crack after feeling it with your tongue, looking in the mirror or if it causes pain in the exposed tooth below. In this situation contact your dentist, though you're unlikely to need emergency dental care unless you're in severe pain. Your dentist will assess the crack when they see you and likely replace the crown.

Be aware of the risks of loose dental crowns in your mouth. While some patients try to replace the crown themselves via over-the-counter dental cement, this may not be a good idea. A loose crown such as one attached via this cement can be a choking hazard, particularly overnight. Seek dental advice prior to doing this.

Delaying dental assessment and treatment of loose or broken dental crowns increases the chances of decay or damage to your teeth. Even if emergency dental care is not warranted, it's still important to see your dentist as soon as is practical.