Lost a Dental Crown? Here Is What to Do in Tucson
It usually happens while you are eating. You bite down on something and feel something hard and foreign in your mouth. You spit it out and realize it is your dental crown. The tooth underneath feels sharp, sensitive, and completely exposed. Now what?
First, do not panic. A lost crown is uncomfortable and feels urgent, but it is treatable. Here is what to do right away:
Save the crown. Rinse it gently with water and keep it in a safe place. Do not throw it away. In many cases, the same crown can be recemented back onto the tooth if it is in good condition.
Protect the exposed tooth. The tooth under the crown is likely sensitive to air, temperature, and pressure. You can apply a small amount of over-the-counter dental cement (sold at pharmacies under names like Dentemp or Recapit) to temporarily cover the tooth. If you do not have dental cement, a small dab of toothpaste can help reduce sensitivity temporarily.
If the crown is intact and you are in a pinch, you can use dental cement to temporarily stick it back on yourself. Make sure it is oriented correctly and bite down gently to seat it. This is a temporary fix. Do not use superglue, regular household adhesive, or anything not designed for use in the mouth.
Avoid chewing on that side. Stick to soft foods and avoid anything sticky, hard, or extremely hot or cold.
Call 520-317-6362 to schedule a same-day appointment. Bring the crown with you.
At the appointment, Dr. Torres will examine the crown and the underlying tooth. If the crown is in good shape and the tooth underneath is healthy, he can recement the crown in a visit that takes about 20 minutes. If the crown is damaged, cracked, or no longer fits properly, a new crown will need to be fabricated. A temporary crown is placed the same day, and the permanent crown is ready in about 2 to 3 weeks.
If the underlying tooth has decay (one of the most common reasons crowns come loose), Dr. Torres will need to clean out the decay before recementation or before making a new crown. This might add a filling or a core buildup to the visit.
The cost of fixing a lost crown in Tucson: recementation of an existing crown typically costs $100 to $200. A new crown runs $800 to $1,500. Insurance usually covers crowns at 50% after the deductible.
Why do crowns come off? Common reasons include the cement wearing down over time (crowns typically last 10 to 15 years), decay forming under the crown that breaks the seal, chewing on hard or sticky foods that pull the crown loose, and grinding or clenching teeth at night.
If your crown just came off, call 520-317-6362. We will get you in today and take care of it.