While your new crown and the abutment anchoring are designed to be very durable there are times when it could be damaged, come loose or fall out. Advanced gum disease, receding gums or a blow to the face, are some of the more common causes of crown problems.

If you have a crown that is damaged, loose, or recently fell out, you should call us immediately so we can advise you schedule an appointment. If you can’t call us, there are a few things you can do to help mitigate the situation.

When a crown comes loose, but hasn’t fallen out you need to resist the temptation to play with or wiggle it. Too much manipulation could cause it to fall off or even damage the abutment it is cemented to.

If you have a crown fall out you shouldn’t try to clean it or brush the abutment. It’s best to let your dentist do this. If a crown was knocked out by a blow to the face or other injury you can rinse away any blood in your mouth by rinsing with lukewarm salt water.

Look in the mirror at the abutment sticking out from your gums. 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 be hollow. In this situation, your dentist will can often cement the crown back into place.

If the abutment is 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 in order to provide a new abutment to anchor the crown.

If you have a damaged, loose, or broken crown has you should call us as soon as possible at [phone] to schedule an appointment.