What to Do When a Crown (Capped Tooth) Comes Off, and When It Can Be Re-Cemented
If a crown comes off, do not throw it away; store it in a clean container and contact the dentist to be seen as soon as possible. If the crown is intact and the tooth beneath has no problem, it is often cemented back, but if decay has formed in the tooth beneath or the tooth has cracked, a new crown may have to be made after treatment. For an implant crown, first check whether the screw has loosened.
Key facts
| When a visit is needed | When a prosthesis moves or comes off, breaks, or hurts when chewing (source: Seoul National University Hospital) |
|---|---|
| Care right after placement | About 24 hours until the cement bond is strong enough; avoid hard and very sticky food meanwhile (source: Seoul National University Hospital) |
| Foods that dislodge them | Ice, hard food, very sticky food (source: Seoul National University Hospital) |
| Loose implant prosthesis | Divided into a loosened or broken internal screw and a crown that came off (source: Korean Dental Association) |
| Regular prosthesis checks | Regular checks every 3 and 6 months are important (source: Korean Academy of Prosthodontics) |
What should I do right away when a crown comes off?
Seoul National University Hospital advises contacting the dentist before visiting when a prosthesis moves or comes off. A fallen crown was made to fit that tooth and can be reused if its condition is good, so be sure to keep it.
The tooth beneath a crown has been shaved down to be capped, so it is small and weak. Chewing on it as it is can break it, and it may be sensitive to cold. Until you see the dentist, manage it in the following order.
- Rinse the fallen crown gently with water and keep it in a clean container
- Do not force off any cement left inside the crown
- Do not chew on that side; eat soft food
- Brush the exposed tooth gently so food does not stay on it
Why do crowns come off?
A crown is attached to the tooth with dental cement, so over time the cement can weaken, or decay forming along the crown's edge can make it come off. When decay spreads in the tooth beneath, there is less tooth left to hold on to, and the bond weakens.
Seoul National University Hospital explains that ice, hard food and very sticky food can dislodge a prosthesis. In particular, right after a crown is cemented the bond takes about 24 hours to become strong enough, so hard or sticky food should be avoided in that time. A crown can also come off when large forces are applied repeatedly by grinding, or when the tooth beneath the crown has broken.
Can a crown that came off be put back?
If the fallen crown is not cracked, the tooth beneath has no decay or fracture, and the crown fits well, it is often cemented back after the inside is cleaned up. In this case the visit ends relatively simply.
If decay has formed in the tooth beneath, the decay is treated, a post may be rebuilt if needed, and a new crown may have to be made. If the tooth beneath is broken down to the root, saving it is hard and extraction may be considered. That is why it matters not to leave it for long after it falls off.
If you go on without the crown, neighboring teeth or the opposing teeth gradually move into the empty space, and the original crown may no longer fit later. Even after re-cementing, as Seoul National University Hospital's guidance suggests, if it hurts when chewing or stays uncomfortable for more than 2-3 days, it is good to have the dentist readjust the height and fit.
What should I do if an implant crown becomes loose or comes off?
A Korean Dental Association consultation answer divides the causes of a loose prosthesis on an implant into a loosened or broken internal screw of the implant and a crown that came off. Sometimes just retightening the screw settles it, and sometimes the crown must be re-cemented or newly made.
The best approach is to have it checked at the dentist who placed the implant. Another dentist can also treat it, but they need to know the implant type, so preparing the treatment record or implant information makes the visit smoother. Continuing to chew while loose can break the screw, so get seen quickly.
How do I keep the crown from coming off again?
The Korean Academy of Prosthodontics stresses that although it is easy to think everything is finished once a prosthesis is placed, regular checks every 3 and 6 months and aftercare matter more for using it comfortably for a long time. If decay at the crown edge or lifting is found early at a regular check, it can be fixed before it comes off.
The crown edge is a place where decay forms easily, so along with brushing, clean the margin carefully with floss or interdental brushes. Do not bite ice or hard nuts, and if you grind your teeth, discuss a night guard.
Common myths and facts
Myth: If a crown comes off but does not hurt, I can go slowly.
The shaved tooth is small and weak and breaks or decays easily, and if left empty for long the crown may no longer fit. It is better to contact the dentist and be seen quickly.
Myth: If an implant crown is loose, the implant must be redone.
Often it is solved by retightening the screw, as when the internal screw has loosened, or by re-cementing the crown. Finding the cause comes first.
Frequently asked questions
May I glue the fallen crown back with pharmacy glue?
Non-dental glue can set with the crown not seated exactly in place, or make it hard to remove later. A wrongly attached crown can cause pain when chewing, so it is safer to keep it and have the dentist cement it.
I swallowed the crown. What should I do?
If coughing continues or breathing is uncomfortable, it may have gone into the airway, so go to an emergency room immediately. Even without symptoms, the location of the swallowed crown needs to be confirmed, so tell a hospital and be seen.
Does re-cementing a crown cost money?
The cost of re-cementing and of making a new one varies by clinic and condition. If it has not been long since placement, contact the dentist who did the original work first, explain the situation and discuss how to handle it.
My tooth is sensitive after the crown came off.
The tooth surface that the crown had covered is exposed and can be sensitive to cold. A tooth that has not had root canal treatment can be more sensitive, so avoid very cold or hot food and have it covered and protected again at the dentist soon.
One side of my bridge seems lifted.
A bridge is attached across several teeth, so even if only one side detaches it may not come off at once and can stay lifted. Food and bacteria can get into this gap and decay can progress quickly, so go to the dentist at once if you feel movement when chewing.
Related topics
- Cracked or loose tooth
- Cracked or loose tooth
- When a filling comes out
- Cracked tooth treatment options
- Pain After Treatment