What To Do If Your Dental Crown Falls Off

It can be unsettling when a dental crown suddenly falls out, especially if it happens while you’re eating, flossing, or even doing something as simple as talking. The good news is that it’s not typically a dental emergency, but it is something that needs attention. If you’re in this situation, take a deep breath. A lost crown is common, and it can be handled quickly and effectively by your dentist. At Klement Family Dental, we’re here to help you understand what’s happening and get you smiling again in no time.

What Is a Dental Crown, and Why Might It Fall Off?

A dental crown is essentially a protective cap that covers a damaged, weak, or unsightly tooth. It’s carefully designed to look and function like your natural tooth, restoring both strength and appearance. Crowns can be made of a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of materials.

There are several reasons a crown might come loose or fall off. The most common cause is the weakening of the dental cement that holds it in place. Over time, everyday wear and tear from chewing, grinding, or clenching can take a toll. If you eat especially sticky or crunchy foods, that can sometimes dislodge a crown as well. Poor oral hygiene leading to decay under the crown is another culprit. And sometimes, if a crown wasn’t fitted properly to begin with, it may not last as long as it should.

Whatever the cause, losing a crown doesn’t mean your tooth is ruined. It just means it’s time to visit your dentist to assess the situation and take the appropriate steps to restore your dental health.

First Steps When a Crown Falls Off

If your crown falls off, try not to panic. The first thing to do is locate the crown. If it came out while eating or drinking, check your mouth and surroundings to make sure you didn’t swallow it. If you did swallow it, it’s usually not harmful, but you’ll want to let your dentist know just in case. If you still have the crown, rinse it gently with water and store it in a clean container.

Next, take a look at the tooth where the crown came from. If it feels sensitive, that’s normal, especially if the underlying tooth was prepared for the crown or had a root canal. Try to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, and steer clear of hot, cold, or sugary foods and drinks until the crown is reattached or replaced.

Don’t try to reattach the crown with glue or any adhesives that aren’t specifically meant for dental use. Over-the-counter dental cement can be a temporary fix if you’re unable to get to the dentist right away, but this should only be used for short-term relief.

How Urgent Is It to See the Dentist?

While a lost crown isn’t always a full-blown emergency, it does require relatively prompt care. Your tooth underneath the crown was likely filed down and is now exposed to bacteria and damage. Without the crown’s protection, the tooth could become more sensitive, develop decay, or even break.

Try to see your dentist as soon as you can, ideally within a few days of losing the crown. At Klement Family Dental, we do our best to get patients in quickly when something like this happens. We’ll examine the tooth, assess the condition of the crown, and determine the best path forward.

Can the Original Crown Be Reused?

In many cases, yes. If the crown is still in good condition and the tooth hasn’t changed shape, it may be possible to clean both surfaces and reattach the original crown using fresh dental cement. This is a simple and efficient fix that restores both function and aesthetics.

However, sometimes the crown is damaged, cracked, or too worn to reuse. Or, the tooth underneath may have experienced changes such as decay or shifting, which means a new crown is necessary for a proper fit. In these cases, we’ll take impressions or digital scans of your tooth and create a new, custom-made crown. Depending on the material used and the lab turnaround, this process may take a few days to a couple of weeks. In the meantime, we’ll often provide a temporary crown to protect your tooth.

What If the Tooth Breaks or Hurts After the Crown Falls Off?

If your tooth is painful after the crown comes out, it could be due to nerve exposure, decay, or irritation of the surrounding tissue. Mild sensitivity can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, but sharp or persistent pain should be addressed right away. In rare cases, the underlying tooth may fracture or develop a serious infection, which could require additional treatment before a crown can be reattached or replaced.

Don’t ignore pain or try to power through it. Letting a compromised tooth go untreated can lead to more significant problems and more complex (and costly) dental work later.

Preventing Future Crown Issues

Crowns are designed to be long-lasting, but like anything else in your mouth, they require care. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, crowns can last 10–15 years or more. Here are a few simple tips to help prevent your crown from coming loose again in the future:

Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Pay special attention to the area where the crown meets your natural tooth.
Avoid chewing hard objects like ice, pens, or fingernails, and try not to use your teeth as tools to open packages.
If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist about a custom nightguard. Bruxism (tooth grinding) puts extra pressure on crowns and can cause them to loosen over time.
Stay away from sticky, chewy foods like taffy or caramel that could pull on your crown.
Visit your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings. During your appointment, your dentist can check the integrity of your crowns and make sure everything looks good.