What To Do If My Dental Crown Falls Out

No one ever anticipates having their dental crown fall out, so it can leave you wondering what to do if your dental crown does fall out. Although dental crowns can last for years, if not decades, without ever needing repair or replacement, they do come out every once in a while.

What to Do If Your Dental Crown Falls Out

Fortunately, however, you can handle the situation in the right manner by following these four steps. Through the process, remember to stay calm and clear-headed after your dental crown falls out.

Find the dental crown

At first, you may not know exactly what happened and may take some time before you realize that your dental crown has fallen out. When this is the case, the dental crown can end up anywhere. After realizing that your dental crown has fallen out, be sure to find the crown as quickly as possible. Also, be sure to place the crown in a bag that is clean and safe, and then put the bag in a safe place where you are sure not to lose it or forget to bring it with you to the dentist.

Call your dentist

After locating the dental crown and placing it safely in a bag, the next thing to do is to call your dentist and schedule a time to come in as soon as possible. Most dentist offices are willing to accept emergency situations such as a dental crown falling out without an appointment, especially if they were the dentist office that placed the crown in the first place. As mentioned, be sure to stay calm the entire time, but try and get the dental crown replaced quickly as well.

Keep your mouth (and the crown) clean

After a dental crown falls out, your mouth, especially the area where the dental crown was located, is more prone to infection, which means it is vital to keep your mouth clean until you get to the dentist. The best way to ensure your mouth stays clean is to rinse your mouth out with a fluoride mouthwash and avoid drinking or eating anything until the crown is put back in place. In the event you have to wait until the next morning to have the crown replaced, drink only water and eat as little as possible.

Manage the pain

Lastly, there is likely to be some residual pain that exists after your dental crown falls out. It is essential to manage the pain to keep a level head and think clearly. In the event the pain becomes close to unbearable, be sure to take some pain relief medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to keep the pain at a manageable level until you can get to the dentist.

Also, try and keep your mind off of the pain and think about the next step in the process instead. Following the mind over matter technique can work to control the pain after your dental crown falls out, although it can be difficult at first.