You were going about your normal daily routine when – oh no! – you lost your dental crown. Not only is this alarming, but now the tooth that was lying underneath is exposed to the elements. What should you do?
First, take a deep breath. This is considered a dental emergency, but it’s not the end of the world. Your dental team can help, and you may be able to re-seat your crown if it’s not too damaged. Keep reading so you’ll know what to do.
Call Your Emergency Dentist
It can be helpful to call your emergency dentist before you do anything else for a number of reasons. For one thing, talking through your situation can calm you down and give you time to process what happened. For another, your dentist can provide first aid guidance if necessary, and will schedule you for the earliest available appointment. Knowing your smile will be taken care of will give you peace of mind!
Search for Your Crown
With an emergency appointment on the books and your nerves settled, it’ll be easier to try and locate your lost crown. It’s not technically essential to find it, but if it’s still viable, your dentist may be able to re-cement it to your tooth instead of arranging for a replacement.
Rinse Your Restoration and Mouth
If you manage to locate your crown, give it a rinse and gentle scrub with your toothbrush – this will help with the next step. Regardless of whether you recovered it or not, you should also rinse your mouth with warm, salty water. That way you can carefully remove any blood or debris without disturbing your exposed tooth.
Temporarily Re-Seat Your Crown
As long as your crown isn’t cracked or chipped and you’re confident about how it should fit over your tooth, you can attempt to re-seat it – which is why you’ll want to make sure it’s clean. It’s important not to use adhesives like superglue. All you need is to put a small dab of toothpaste in the middle of your crown. This should give it enough hold to stay put temporarily.
Remember to Take Your Crown to Your Appointment
Finally, you can rest and relax until it’s time to head to your dental appointment. Just remember to take your crown with you if you have it. Once you arrive at your dentist’s office, they’ll get to work on planning the best treatment solution for your lost crown!
About the Author
Dr. Tony Nguyen is well known for his personable, down-to-earth demeanor. In dental emergency situations, he is a calming presence and attentive, compassionate listener. If you’ve lost your dental crown or need help with another dental matter, please don’t hesitate to call his office at 972-723-1148. Rest assured, you and your smile will be well taken care of!