Your crown and the abutment anchoring it are designed and intended to be durable. With proper daily care your crown has the potential to provide you with years of durable function. At the same time there are a few factors like gum disease, receding gums or advanced decay that can influence the abutment, causing the crown to become loose or even fall out.
If you notice a crown that is loose or a crown came off, you should call us as soon as possible. We can help you determine the best course of action and schedule an appointment to resolve the issue in a timely manner.
If for some reason you can’t immediately contact us, there are a few things you can do.
First of all, don’t attempt to brush the crown or the exposed abutment. If the crown was knocked out by a blow to the face you can remove blood or excess debris in your mouth by rinsing with lukewarm salt water. Any other cleaning should be left to your dentist’s professional tools and training.
Next you should look in the mirror at the abutment protruding from your gums. Sometimes a small flashlight can help you get a better look at one of your back teeth. If the crown fell out because of an issue with the cement, you will see a small nub of tooth or dull gray metal. The crown will also appear to be hollow. In this situation, your dentist will can often cement the crown back into place.
If the abutment is damaged or fractured near the gum line you will see some of it inside the crown. In a situation like this your dentist will need to perform a root canal. This will help to create enough structure to anchor a new crown.
If your crown is loose or has recently fallen out, you should call us at 440-884-9898 to schedule an appointment.