You’re relaxing on the couch with a movie. It’s been a long day at work, so you treat yourself to some delicious gummy candy. Everything is going great until you feel a crunch in your mouth. Confused, you spit out the candy and notice that your dental crown has fallen out! What should you do in this situation? Keep reading to find out what you need to do when you break a dental crown in Canton.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a cap that fits over your natural tooth, mimicking the exact color and shape to blend in with the rest of your smile. It is typically made of porcelain, which is virtually indistinguishable from the enamel of natural teeth. Once placed, it can protect and restore your tooth for several years before needing to be replaced.

What Problems Can a Dental Crown Fix?

You might receive a dental crown for several reasons, including:

  • Restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy or a dental implant
  • Helping a weak tooth that needs support
  • Protecting a tooth that has had serious damage or injury
  • Severe tooth decay that a filling alone cannot treat

What Should I Do If My Dental Crown Comes Loose or Falls Out?

A loose or broken crown is typically considered a dental emergency, so the first thing to do is call your dentist in Canton. Say that it’s about your crown, and they will very likely let you come in to fix it on the same day you call.

Even if you are not in any pain, the affected area can become easily irritated and more sensitive to temperature, pressure, or air. Without a crown to protect it, your tooth underneath is more susceptible to decay. In addition, if your crown is missing for long enough, your teeth may shift into the space where it was. This is why you should call your dentist as soon as possible.

There are a few things you can do in the meantime:

  • If you are in pain, you can apply a little clove oil to the area with a cotton swab. You can find clove oil at most drugstores.
  • If the crown fell out in one piece, you may be able to slip it back over the tooth until you can see your dentist. First, clean the inside of the crown. Then, coat the inside of it with tooth cement, which you can find in the dental section of your pharmacy. If you don’t have dental cement, some petroleum jelly or dental adhesive should help to hold the crown in place until your dentist reattaches it.
  • If your crown is broken, gently run your tongue along the area to check if there are sharp edges that could cut the soft tissues in your mouth. If there are, then you are in a more dire emergency situation. Be sure to let your dentist know on the phone.

How Can I Prevent My Crown from Being Loose or Broken?

There are a few ways to help your crown last as long as possible, such as:

  • Avoiding chewing very hard or sticky foods with the crown
  • Wearing a mouthguard during sports to protect against injury
  • Brushing and flossing every day to prevent decay
  • As with any dental emergency, calling your dentist is the most urgent and important thing. That way they can get your smile back to normal as soon as possible!

About the Practice

At Legacy Dental Group, we strive to provide patients with all the services they could need under one roof. That’s why our four doctors have expertise in many areas of dentistry, so we rarely have to refer you to an outside specialist. Many dental practices send their crowns to be made by a lab, but we have our own lab on-site. This saves patients time and money, as our lab technicians are often available to modify your crowns while you’re here. To learn more about our crowns, click here or call (903)-567-4881.