Dental crowns protect and restore damaged teeth, but like any restoration, they can crack or become loose under pressure, and a broken crown can be disconcerting and uncomfortable. Regardless, do not panic if it happens, as the right steps can save your tooth and prevent more serious injury. This blog explores the step-by-step process of what to do when it occurs.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cap that goes over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. A crown covers the section of the tooth that’s above the gum line. Crowns can be made from porcelain, ceramics, metals, or combinations of these materials.
Dentists typically use crowns after the tooth has undergone a root canal, has an extensive filling, or is significantly damaged. A well-done crown, and one cared for, can last 10 to 15 years or longer. However, chewing hard foods, grinding teeth, and poor oral hygiene can lead to wear, damage, or breakage. Ideally, you should see your dentist within 1-2 days of the crown breaking.
Can You Reattach a Crown Yourself?
You can find temporary crown repair kits at the pharmacy, but reattaching your crown yourself is not a permanent solution because
- You could have bite issues or create more damage if you don’t get the alignment correct.
- You could trap bacteria underneath the crown, which could lead to decay or infection.
That said, if your crown is properly fitting and is clean, you can use dental cement or temporary adhesive (available at the store or pharmacy) to hold the crown in place, until you can get to a dentist for crown replacement.
Immediate Step-by-Step Action to Follow if Your Dental Crown Breaks
Here’s a straightforward, step-by-step list of things to do if your dental crown breaks:
- Remove the crown from your mouth to avoid swallowing or choking on it.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the area and help alleviate discomfort.
- Look at the crown to assess the damage.
- If the crown has completely fallen off, store it safely in a clean container.
- Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the crown fell off.
- You can take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief option, like ibuprofen.
- Make a phone call to your dentist, ask if they take emergencies, provide same-day dental crowns, and book an appointment.
- A dentist may recommend that you use store-bought dental cement to hold the crown in place, but always make sure to follow their recommendations.
Same-Day Dental Crowns in Winthrop, Peabody, and Newburyport
Varinos Dental Associates has three dental offices in Massachusetts located in Winthrop, Newburyport, and Peabody. We provide same-day walk-in appointments nd use modern dental technology that allows us to replace dental crowns in a day. For more information, please contact our team.
