Dental crowns have a limited lifespan, and as a result, sometimes they fall out. Whether you were eating something hard or crunchy or it just fell off on its own, it's important to know how to cope with this problem if it ever happens to you. This guide will explain how to reattach a crown, and what you should do if your dentist says that you can't.
Call Your Dentist
Once you've gotten your crown out of your mouth and put it in a safe place, call your dentist. Explain the situation to them and ask to set up an appointment to be seen as soon as possible to repair the damage.
In addition, you should ask about whether your dental crown is eligible to be reattached. If your dental implant is visible in your mouth, chances are you won't be able to reattach the crown. Instead, your dentist may need to replace the implant and fit a new crown for you. However in most cases, when a crown falls off it's simply due to normal wear and tear, rather than trauma. If the portion of your tooth that was covered by the crown is still attached to your gumline and none of it has broken off inside your crown, your dentist will most likely approve temporarily reattaching your crown.
If your dentist gives you the all clear to reattach your crown, continue to the next step. Otherwise, either see your dentist immediately or visit an emergency dentist right away to have your dental implant repaired.
Buy Dental Cement
Although this process can be accomplished with something as simple as plain toothpaste, dental cement is the best choice. You can buy temporary dental cement from nearly any grocery store in the oral health section. Once you have your adhesive of choice, you're ready to reattach your crown.
Process
Clean your dental crown thoroughly so that no food debris or build-up remains. Then, set up a strong light and a mirror so that you can see the area in your mouth where the crown needs to go. Once you've located it and you feel confident that you can quickly put the crown on your tooth, apply a thin layer of dental cement or toothpaste to the inside of your dental crown.
Slip the crown over the tooth it came off of and hold it in place for a few seconds. The crown should adhere to your tooth. If you're using dental cement, you can lightly press your teeth together to hold the crown in place and really make it stick.
If you chose to use toothpaste, avoid chewing on the tooth as much as possible, as the crown may loosen and fall off again.
Keep in mind that even with dental cement, this is only a temporary fix. You will need to see a dentist to have your dental implant permanently repaired and the crown professionally adhered to your tooth. However, in the meanwhile, a little dental cement can help you to get back to eating and drinking normally until your dentist can see you.
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