Sedation Clinics
Most people who get a dental crown can expect it to last for at least 10-15 years with proper maintenance. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, accidents happen. Crowns can chip, crack, loosen, or fall off entirely. While losing a dental crown in Lexington isn’t quite as urgent of an emergency as knocking out a tooth, it’s still important that you call your dentist right away for prompt treatment. Once you have an appointment scheduled, here are the steps you should take in the meantime.
Clean the Crown
First things first, locate the crown. Give it a gentle rinse under running water, taking care not to let it fall down the drain. Remove any food particles or old cement from the inside and outside of the crown.
Attempt to Temporarily Reattach the Crown
Before placing your crown back onto your tooth, make sure you know exactly how it fits in your mouth. If you accidentally put the crown on incorrectly, it could damage your crown, the underlying tooth, and your surrounding teeth.
Once you’ve figured out how the crown fits, you can use temporary dental cement (available in most drugstores), petroleum jelly, or a dab of toothpaste to cement the crown back onto the tooth. Whatever you do, do not use superglue or any other kind of product not deemed safe for crown reattachment. When in doubt, it never hurts to do a quick online search to find out whether a certain product is safe.
Keep in mind that even if you manage to securely reattach the crown, that this is only a temporary solution. You should still see your dentist within a few days so they can permanently cement your restoration into place.
Avoid Chewing with That Tooth
Eating particularly hard or sticky foods could cause the crown to become dislodged again. Not to mention, the tooth underneath the crown will probably be sensitive. Just to be on the safe side, it’s best to avoid chewing on that whole side of your mouth until your dentist in Lexington has treated the problem. You might also want to limit hot and cold foods and drinks to minimize sensitivity.
Practice Careful Oral Hygiene
You should still brush your teeth twice a day. However, you have to be extra gentle when brushing near the crowned tooth. Also, inspect the tooth every day to make sure there is no new damage to that area of your mouth.
Lastly, don’t panic. Dental crowns aren’t designed to last forever, and they sometimes fall out unexpectedly. As long as you get to your dentist’s office in a timely manner, your situation can easily be remedied.
About the Practice
At Dental Wellness of Lexington, we pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service and devotion to clinical excellence. Dr. Feck, Dr. Combs, and Dr. Wilson have created a welcoming dental office environment thanks to their calm natures and sedation options. They prioritize patients with dental emergencies, such as lost crowns. If you have recently lost one, you can contact Dental Wellness of Lexington at 859-223-4644.