What Should You Do If a Dental Crown Falls Off?

If your dental crown falls off, find the crown, rinse it, keep it in a clean container, and call a dental office to have it assessed within a day or two. In the meantime, chew on the other side and keep the exposed tooth clean. A lost crown is rarely dangerous, but the tooth underneath is vulnerable, and a prompt visit gives the best chance that your original crown can be re-cemented.

This guide covers what to do in the first hour, how to protect the tooth, whether you can put the crown back yourself, when a lost crown becomes urgent, and what your dentist is likely to recommend.

What should you do first when a crown falls off?

A crown usually comes off while eating something sticky or chewy, or you may notice it loose in your mouth when you wake up. Take a breath. These first steps help keep your options open.

1. Find the crown

Look in your mouth, on your plate or on your pillow. If you find it, rinse it gently under lukewarm water. Do not scrub the inside with a brush or anything abrasive.

2. Store it safely

Place the crown in a small, clean, dry container or a sealed bag. Keep it away from children and pets, and bring it to your appointment. An intact crown can often be re-cemented, which is usually quicker and less costly than making a new one.

3. Look at the tooth gently

The tooth under a crown was shaped to fit inside it, so it may look small, dark, pointed or unusual. That is normal. You may also see some old cement. If part of the tooth appears to be missing or is still inside the crown, mention this when you call.

4. Rinse your mouth

Swish gently with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) to clear any debris.

5. Call a dental office

Explain which tooth is affected, whether the crown is intact, whether any tooth came off with it, and whether you have pain. The team can tell you how soon to come in and whether temporary cement is appropriate for you.

What if you swallowed or inhaled the crown?

If you cannot find the crown and it came off while you were eating or sleeping, you may have swallowed it. A swallowed crown usually passes through the digestive system without harm, although it will not be reused, and a new crown will be needed.

Inhaling a crown is different. If you have coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort or any difficulty breathing after losing a crown, seek medical care promptly, because the crown may have entered your airway. Call 911 if you are struggling to breathe.

How do you protect the tooth until your appointment?

The exposed tooth is made mostly of dentin, which is softer than enamel and more sensitive. These steps help protect it:

• Chew on the opposite side and choose soft foods.
• Avoid sticky, hard and chewy foods such as caramel, gum, nuts, hard candy and crusty bread.
• Avoid very hot, very cold and sugary foods and drinks if they trigger sensitivity.
• Brush the tooth gently with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. A clean tooth is less likely to become sore and is easier to re-cement.
• Clean between the teeth carefully, sliding floss out sideways rather than snapping it up, so you do not catch the edge of the tooth.
• Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth if cold or air causes discomfort.
• Take over-the-counter pain relief as the package directs if the tooth aches, and check with a pharmacist if you take other medications.

If the tooth has a sharp edge that is rubbing your tongue or cheek, a small piece of dental wax from a pharmacy can cover it temporarily.

Can you put a crown back on yourself?

Sometimes, briefly, and only if your dental office advises it. Pharmacies sell temporary dental cement designed to hold a crown in place for a short time. It can reduce sensitivity and help keep the tooth and neighbouring teeth in position until you are seen.

If you are advised to use it:

1. Clean the inside of the crown gently and remove loose debris, without scraping.
2. Rinse and dry the tooth as well as you can.
3. Try the crown on first without cement to check it sits fully and in the right orientation. It should only fit one way.
4. Place a small amount of cement inside the crown, following the product directions.
5. Seat the crown and bite down gently. Do not force it or bite hard to push it into place.
6. Remove excess cement from the gum line.
7. Chew carefully on the other side until your appointment.

If the crown does not seat easily, stop. Forcing a crown can crack it or the tooth, and a crown seated in the wrong position can change your bite.

Never use household glue

Super glue and household adhesives are not safe in the mouth. They can irritate the gum, damage the crown and tooth, and make proper re-cementation difficult or impossible. Temporary dental cement is designed to come off cleanly so your dentist can re-cement the crown properly.

Is a lost crown a dental emergency?

Usually, a lost crown is urgent rather than an emergency. Most people can wait a day or two for a regular appointment, as long as the tooth is protected. It becomes more urgent when there is:

• significant or worsening pain,
• swelling of the gum or face,
• a broken tooth, with part of the tooth inside the crown,
• a sharp fragment cutting your tongue or cheek,
• bleeding that does not settle with gentle pressure,
• a front tooth crown affecting your ability to work or speak comfortably.

Our emergency dentistry page explains how urgent problems are handled, and what counts as a dental emergency can help you judge how quickly to act.

When to go to hospital or call 911

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, a possible inhaled crown with breathing symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or a serious injury to the face or jaw. If you are unsure which setting fits your situation, emergency dentist or hospital walks through the decision.

Why did my crown fall off?

A crown coming off is often a sign that something has changed underneath it. Common reasons include:

• Aged or washed-out cement. Over years, the cement seal can weaken.
• Decay under the crown. Decay can start at the edge where the crown meets the tooth and undermine the tooth structure holding the crown.
• Too little tooth structure. A tooth that was heavily broken down before the crown may have less to grip.
• Sticky or hard foods. Toffee, gum and hard candy can pull or knock a crown loose.
• Grinding or clenching. Heavy forces, especially at night, can loosen crowns over time.
• A cracked tooth or crown. A fracture can break the seal.
• Gum recession or bite changes. These can change how forces reach the crown.

Your dentist will look for the cause, because simply re-cementing a crown over decay or a crack is likely to lead to the same problem again. Our post on how long dental crowns last explains what affects a crown’s lifespan.

What if it was a temporary crown, a bridge or an implant crown?

Temporary crown

A temporary crown is placed while your permanent crown is made. It is held with softer cement on purpose, so it can come off. Call the office that placed it. It is usually important to put it back soon, because the prepared tooth can be sensitive and neighbouring teeth can shift, which may affect how the permanent crown fits.

Bridge

If a bridge comes off, store it carefully and bring it with you. Do not try to cement a bridge yourself unless your dental office specifically advises it, because it involves more than one tooth and needs to seat precisely.

Crown on a root canal treated tooth

A tooth that has had root canal treatment may not feel pain, but it can be more brittle. Protect it carefully and book promptly. Our post on getting a crown after root canal treatment explains why these teeth need the protection a crown provides.

Implant crown

An implant crown can loosen or come off if the screw or cement holding it loosens. Keep the crown and any small parts, avoid chewing on the area, and contact the dental office. Do not try to reattach it yourself.

Can the crown be re-cemented, or will you need a new one?

This depends on the condition of the crown, the tooth and the surrounding teeth. Here is a general guide:

Situation	Likely next step
Crown intact, tooth healthy, fits well	Clean and re-cement the original crown
Crown intact, small area of decay on the tooth	Treat the decay, then possibly re-cement
Crown cracked, chipped or worn through	A new crown is usually needed
Tooth broken, with part inside the crown	Rebuild the tooth, which may involve a post and core, then a new crown
Crown lost or swallowed	A new crown, often with a temporary in the meantime
Teeth have shifted and the crown no longer seats	A new crown is usually needed
Tooth badly damaged or cracked below the gum	Other options, such as extraction and tooth replacement, may be discussed

Acting quickly makes the simplest outcome more likely. Teeth can move surprisingly quickly without a crown holding their position, sometimes within days to weeks.

What happens at your appointment?

1. Assessment. The dentist examines the tooth, the crown and the surrounding gums, and checks your bite.
2. X-rays, if needed. These can show decay under where the crown sat, the condition of the root and whether there is infection.
3. Explanation of options. You will hear what the dentist found, whether the crown can be reused, any alternatives, and the estimated fees before treatment.
4. Re-cementation or next steps. If the crown can be reused, it is cleaned, the tooth is prepared, and the crown is cemented and checked for fit and bite. If a new crown is needed, a temporary crown usually protects the tooth while the new one is made. Our crowns and bridges page explains that process.

How much does it cost to fix a crown that fell off?

Costs depend on what is needed, so an exam is the only way to get a reliable estimate. The main factors are:

• whether the original crown can be re-cemented or a new crown is needed,
• whether there is decay or a crack to treat first,
• whether the tooth needs rebuilding with a core or post,
• whether X-rays are needed,
• whether the tooth needs root canal treatment.

Many dental insurance plans cover part of these services, depending on your plan. York Street Dental Centre offers direct billing for many plans, welcomes eligible Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) patients, and can send a predetermination to your insurer before a new crown is made.

How can you keep a crown from coming loose again?

• Brush twice a day and clean between teeth daily, paying attention to the gum line around the crown, where decay can start.
• Keep regular checkups, so the dentist can check the edges of your crowns and spot early decay.
• Go easy on sticky and very hard foods, such as toffee, hard candy and ice.
• Do not use your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles.
• Ask about a nightguard if you grind or clench. Our mouthguards page explains the options.
• Mention early warning signs, such as a crown that feels loose, food catching around it, or new sensitivity.

If a crown keeps coming off, it may be a sign that it needs to be replaced or that the tooth needs a different approach. Signs you may need a dental crown covers when a crown is typically recommended in the first place.

Getting a lost crown fixed in Cornwall

If your crown comes off, York Street Dental Centre at 118 York Street in Cornwall can assess the tooth and let you know whether the crown can be reused. We are open Monday to Friday, accept new patients, and do not require a referral, so you can call even if you normally see another dentist or have not been to a dentist in a while.

Our office is a short drive for patients in Glenview Heights, Churchill Heights and downtown Cornwall, as well as St. Andrews West and Lakeview Heights. Bring your crown in its container, and let us know about any pain or swelling when you call so we can advise you on timing.

Book a visit for a lost crown

If your crown has come off, call York Street Dental Centre at (613) 932-1620 or request an appointment online. You can also learn more about crowns and bridges at York Street Dental Centre, or read what to do if a dental filling falls out if it was a filling rather than a crown.