Have a Damaged Dental Crown? Here's What to Do
Dental crowns are a trusted way to protect and enhance your smile but they’re not impervious to damage. If you have a dental crown and it becomes loose, cracked, or falls out completely, it can be a very stressful experience. With offices in Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, and Philadelphia, PA, the team at Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics is ready to restore your health, comfort, and confidence. If you’re experiencing trouble with a dental crown, reach out to us as soon as possible. Until we see you for a consultation, explore these helpful tips.
What to Do About a Cracked Dental Crown
Dental crowns are made of durable materials but under extreme pressure, they can chip and fracture. If any pieces have fallen out, try to retrieve them and put them in a safe place, like a plastic baggie. Reach out to our office and avoid flossing in the area and chewing with the affected tooth until we can perform an examination.
In some cases, we can repair cracked dental crowns but in others, we’ll recommend an entirely new restoration.
What to Do About a Loose Dental Crown
If you feel like your dental crown is becoming loose, avoid wiggling or moving it further out of place. Again, avoid chewing using the crowned tooth. Flossing it could also dislodge the restoration completely, so instead, brush your teeth gently and contact our offices.
Many times we can re-cement the crown in place to provide a more secure fit.
What to Do About a Crown That Falls Out
A crown that falls out completely can expose sensitive portions of the inner tooth, so this type of situation needs to be treated more urgently. Retrieve the crown, if you can, and bring it with you to your appointment.
We’ll work carefully to re-attach the restoration, but if it fell out due to irreparable damage, we’ll recommend a new crown.
What to Do About Old and Worn Crowns
Even the highest quality crown will become worn over time. While you might notice signs your crown needs to be replaced, typically, your dentist will be the one to observe damage in its earliest stages.
In order to protect your health and replace crowns as soon as they become compromised, it’s incredibly important to attend your twice-yearly cleanings and exams.
How to Increase the Lifespan of Your Dental Crown
With the proper care, a dental crown can easily last 15 years or more. But not without the right care. In addition to practicing good hygiene at home and visiting us for check-ups, we recommend patients:
- Remove floss on the side of the tooth instead of forcefully pulling it up and out
- Avoid using your teeth to open packages, beer bottles, etc.
- Avoid bad habits like chewing on your nails, ice, or pens
We’ll provide more detailed aftercare instructions when you visit our dentist.
Schedule a Consultation at Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics
Whether you’re dealing with a dental emergency or you’re simply overdue for an exam, we’re happy to help. At Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics, we provide comprehensive care at our Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, and Philadelphia, PA, offices so you can experience efficient, streamlined treatment. Protect your smile by reaching out to us today.
