There is a chance, albeit small, that your temporary crown pops off. If that happens, the first thing you need to do is don’t panic. Then you need to start the corrective action. Find out what to do if your temporary crown falls off? And answer some common questions you may have.
So...What To Do if Your Temporary Crown Falls Off?
One of your teeth broke, decayed, or got damaged, and you chose a dental crown to take it back to its beautiful shape and color. The crown essentially replaced your original tooth, which was drilled down to make room for it.
Before you get the permanent one, your dentist will put in a temporary crown to protect the natural tooth from further damage or decay while the permanent crown gets crafted. The temporaries also ensure that the prepared tooth and the adjacent teeth stay in the same positions before the permanent crown gets fitted.
Ideally, you should call your dentist and book an appointment at the earliest, but if that is not possible, you can also use denture adhesive for the time being. We’ll help you with the right way of using the adhesive for the fallen crown. But before that, let’s examine why your crown fell off.
Why did your crown come off?
Temporary crowns, as their name suggests, are only to be used for a small period of time, a couple of weeks on average. More times than not, they are extremely. Sometimes they dislodge before their time is up, and the reasons can be any of these:
- Rigorous brushing and flossing;
- Sticky foods like caramel;
- Excessive grinding or clenching;
- Or a trauma to the front teeth.
- There is also the scenario of not getting a permanent crown on time, making the tooth under the temporary one decay and change its structure; as a consequence, the temporary crown comes off.
Can you leave your temporary crown off?
Whatever the reason may be, can you leave your temporary crown off? The answer will always be no; you cannot let the original teeth stay on without the crown's protection for long.
Can I eat if my temporary crown falls out?
Yes, but be cautious of what you eat. Try sticking to softer food until you see the dentist. Take a break from gum, hard candies, caramel, pizza, bagels, and tough meat like steak.
Can I use denture adhesive for temporary crown?
You are on holiday, and your temporary crown fell off that weekend. You are not in a position to visit your dentist. What should you do? Resort to temporary crown glue. Although it would be your dentist who will perform the more permanent fix, you should still attempt to reattach the crown yourself in the meantime.
However, if you are experiencing pain and swelling, you should wait until you see the dentist. We have had some of our patients tell us that their temporary crown fell off, and it hurts, and we never advise them to reattach it.
If you are not experiencing pain and swelling, and you can't visit your dentist immediately, then follow the next steps to fix your dislodged crown.
1. Inspect the crown and clean it.
See if the crown is broken or intact, especially the gumline. If the temporary crown cracked and fell out, you should not attempt to reattach it. Instead, you should see your dentist at the earliest. If it is intact, check for any food residue or tooth debris, clean it thoroughly with a toothpick or paperclip, and leave it to dry.
2. Gather the supplies.
A good denture adhesive, a kitchen towel, a clean plastic spoon, floss, a Q-tip, and a little warm water are all you would need now.
3. Place the crown.
Apply the denture adhesive at the edge of the crown that will touch the base of the tooth. Moisten the tooth with a Q-tip that’s been dipped in warm water. Place the crown over the tooth and press firmly for a few seconds.
4. Ensure the fit.
You must ensure that the tooth is placed properly before the adhesive sets. For that, bit down firmly and if you feel uncomfortable, repeat the process.
5. Remove the excess.
Once the crown is in place, remove the excess material with the help of floss and rinse your mouth with warm water. And you have yourself a fixed temporary crown.
Now, all you need to do is wait an hour or so to let it set properly and then you can eat and drink all you want.
Remember the after-fix care. - doc asap
In summary, what to do if your temporary crown falls off? If you want to reduce the chances of losing the temporary crown again, try to follow the following steps.
- Keep the area around the crown clean, brush, and floss, but do it extremely gently.
- Try to rinse your mouth more frequently to remove any food particles stuck around the crown.
- When you eat, try keeping the food away from the temporary crown. Avoid chewing until you’ve had the dentist fix it. The temporary fix may not be able to handle the pressure of chewing for long.
- Then, book an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible because what we have discussed is only a temporary fix. You would need professional assistance to ensure the health of your original tooth and the longevity of your crown.
If you have any more concerns about permanent and temporary dental crowns, feel free to contact us at any time. Call our office at +(909) 334-4015 or contact us in the form to schedule an appointment at your nearest clinic.
