Temporary Crown Fell Off

What to Do if Your Temporary Crown Falls Out

A temporary crown is a tooth-shaped cap. It protects a natural tooth or implant until a permanent crown can be made and cemented into place.

If your temporary dental crown falls out, call your dentist for an appointment to recement or remake it. It is essential not to leave the tooth without a temporary crown for an extended period.

Otherwise, the tooth or gums underneath the crown may become damaged. The other teeth can also shift into the space, causing issues with the fit of your permanent crown.

What Not to Do if Your Temporary Crown Falls Out

Temporary crowns are typically fixed in place with temporary dental cement so they can easily be removed to place your permanent crown. This means you must be extra careful with your temporary crown. 

If your temporary crown falls out, don’t swallow it. If the crown falls out of your mouth, try to find it and bring it with you to your dentist appointment. 

Other essential steps to take when your crown has fallen out include:

• Avoid foods that are sticky, hard, or require a lot of chewing
• Avoid foods and drinks that are very hot or cold 
• Avoid chewing foods on the affected side of the mouth
• Be gentle when brushing your teeth with toothpaste

Is it a Dental Emergency?

Usually, losing your temporary crown is not a dental emergency that requires urgent treatment. But you should return to the dentist within a day or two to recement it. They might need to replace the temporary crown to avoid damage to the underlying tooth or problems with your permanent crown. 

How Can Temporary Crowns Become Loose?

Temporary crowns are more delicate and fragile than permanent ones. They’re designed to stay in place for only a couple of weeks. However, sometimes they become loose earlier than expected.

Reasons a temporary crown may fall off include:

• Eating sticky foods like caramel
• Flossing or brushing too aggressively 
• Habits such as grinding or clenching 
• Traumatic injuries, especially to the front teeth 

In the case of temporary crowns that have been in place for months or years, decay can cause the temporary crowns to dislodge. This is because decay causes a change in the underlying tooth structure, which means the temporary crown no longer adapts well to the tooth.

How to Prevent a Temporary Crown From Falling Out

Temporary crowns need to be easy to remove so they can be replaced with a permanent crown. You need to take extra care of a temporary crown to reduce the chances of it falling out.

A temporary crown is glued in with temporary dental cement. It should be completely functional so that you can chew normally. However, the glue is not meant to fit the tooth in permanently.

You should avoid chewing gum or eating sticky foods that could loosen your temporary crown. It’s essential to maintain proper dental care as well. 

You should also avoid sugary foods. Your temporary crown may have a small gap between the crown and gum line. This means that sugar can reach under the crown and cause decay or sensitivity.

Here are some foods to avoid while you have a temporary crown fitted:

• Steak or tough meat
• Crusty or hard bread or bagels
• Crunchy or hard fresh vegetables, such as baby carrots
• Crunchy or hard fresh fruits, such as apples
• Corn on the cob
• Chewing gum
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Hard candy or sweets
• Caramel
• Ice

Oral Hygiene Tips for Temporary Crowns

Practicing proper dental hygiene will help prevent decay and gum problems around the crown. Brush gently around the tooth and gum line twice daily using toothpaste. You can also opt for toothpastes that target sensitive teeth. 

Flossing is recommended as well. However, you will need to floss down and out instead of down and up to help avoid dislodging the temporary dental crown.  

If your temporary crown falls off despite these precautions, contact your dentist so it can be recemented or a new one can be made to prevent future problems.