With the proper care, a dental crown in Lady Lake should last 15 years or more! However, whether you’ve chomped down on something hard, got hit in the face while playing sports, or suddenly feel something loose in your mouth, a dental crown can sometimes fall out of place. Losing a dental crown can be somewhat alarming, so it’s important to know how to handle this situation before it occurs. Read on as your emergency dentist walks you through step-by-step what to do if you lose a dental crown.
Step 1: Call Your Emergency Dentist
As with any dental emergency, the first thing you should do is call your dentist to make an appointment. A lost dental crown is considered a “non-urgent” dental emergency, as in your tooth is not in immediate danger. Nonetheless, your tooth could potentially suffer harm, so it needs to be treated as quickly as possible. Your dentist may try to fit you in for a same-day emergency appointment.
Step 2: Rinse Your Mouth & Find the Crown
Next, rinse out your mouth with water to clean the area. If you can find your dental crown, rinse it off and inspect it. If it doesn’t appear to be broken, you can try reseating the dental crown into place, keeping it in place with a dab of toothpaste. If the crown is broken or if you can’t put it back into place, keep it in a safe container and bring it with you to your appointment.
Step 3: Address Any Symptoms You’re Experiencing
In the event that you can’t place your dental crown back on your tooth, the exposed tooth may begin to feel sensitive and uncomfortable. You can cover it with sugarless gum or dental wax to help protect it from these sensations. Additionally, if you’re experiencing any swelling or pain, you can apply an ice pack for 10-minute intervals or take an over-the-counter pain reliver as instructed.
Step 4: Protect Your Tooth Until Your Appointment
If at all possible, try to refrain from eating until you can see your dentist. At the very least, don’t chew or bite with the injured tooth. Any pressure on the tooth could cause further damage, and too much damage could cause the tooth to become irreparable. You should also carefully rinse out your mouth with water regularly to keep the area clean and protect the exposed tooth from infection.
Step 5: See Your Dentist
When you arrive at your dentist’s office for your appointment, they’ll see you right away for evaluation. They’ll check your mouth and teeth, as well as your dental crown if you brought it with you. In some cases, a dental crown may simply just be bonded into place, but in other cases, you may need to have a new one created. Of course, if there’s any sort of underlying issue like a cavity beneath where the dental crown once was, we’ll address that first.
Before you know it, you’ll be back to enjoying a happy, healthy, and pain-free smile!
About the Practice
At RP Dental & Implants, our highly experienced team is proud to offer a wide range of the best dental treatments for the smiles of Lady Lake and the surrounding communities. From personalized cosmetic services to high-quality restorations like dental crowns, we have everything your family needs to keep their oral health on track. If you’ve lost a dental crown, please contact us immediately online or at (352) 750-0008.