A dental crown is a useful tool that a dentist will use to restore the structure and health of a damaged tooth. While durable, a crown is not necessarily indestructible. Abnormal pressure on this ceramic cap can result in the crown dislodging or breaking.
If your crown falls off the tooth or loosens, the underlying tooth could be at risk of major dental harm from external threats. Read on to learn three steps that you should take if you sustain damage to your dental crown.
Take Action If You Break a Dental Crown
Call Your Dentist Right Away
If you notice an issue with the fit or structure of your dental crown, call your dentist as soon as you can. Some people notice tooth sensitivity pain or other discomforts after this accident. But even if you do not notice any symptoms, you should tell your dentist about this incident.
Prompt action from your dentist after this dental damage can prevent severe dental problems. Your dentist can give you advice to manage your smile in the immediate aftermath. And you can take steps to preserve the look and feel of your smile.
Attend Emergency Dentist Appointment
Your dentist will likely ask you to come to their office as soon as possible for an emergency dental appointment. You should bring your dislodged crown with you if you can. During this visit, the dentist will look at the crown, the affected tooth, and the surrounding areas of your mouth.
They will search for signs of additional damage. If you delay this type of evaluation, you may risk the damage to your crown or tooth worsening, resulting in severe pain or other issues.
Then if the crown is otherwise intact, they can place it back over the tooth and seal it into place with dental cement. If you need a new crown made, your dentist can give you a temporary crown to protect the tooth in the meantime. It may take a few weeks to receive this permanent crown.
Avoid Future Harm to Your Dental Crown
Once you have a dental crown over your tooth again, you will want to take preventative measures so that you do not harm this cap any further. You should practice good oral hygiene on a regular basis so that your tooth can stay healthy. Decay and other issues may alter the shape of your underlying or surrounding teeth. This may mean that the crown cannot fit as it needs to.
You should also avoid biting down on hard items like fingernails or the end of a pen. This action will generate pressure that may crack or dislodge a dental crown. While you can chew normally, pay attention to hard-textured or sticky items that you might consume so that you do not suffer a dental emergency.
Do not hesitate to call your dentist with any questions or concerns. Visit your dentist for routine oral exams too to ensure that your crown continues to function as it should.