Imagine enjoying a meal only to bite down and realize you’ve just lost your dental crown, or were playing football with your friends and it was knocked out. You’re probably feeling anxious, in pain, and unsure exactly what to do next. Fortunately, your dentist has put together the following list of 3 steps to take until you can get in for an appointment. Read on to learn more!
Step #1: Call Your Dentist
The first course of action is to contact your dentist and let them know what happened. Dental crowns are used to protect damaged or vulnerable teeth and without it, you might end up with an additional injury. Your dentist understands the risks and will want to get you in as soon as possible. When you call, they’ll gather information about what happened and schedule you for a visit. Many practices offer same-day appointments for urgent situations like this, but if not, they’ll be sure to get you in as soon as there’s an opening.
Step #2: Locate Your Dental Crown
If you’ve just had an incident and realized your dental crown has become dislodged, do your best to calmly locate it. There’s a possibility it already fell out of your mouth and landed on the table or the floor nearby, but it might also still be in your mouth so be careful not to swallow it.
Once you’ve located it, rinse it gently and store it somewhere you can find it easily when it’s time to leave for your dental appointment. It’s possible that it can be saved, though if it’s too broken your dentist may need to replace it altogether.
Step #3: Carefully Reattach Your Dental Crown
One safe place to store your restoration is back where it came from. If it’s not overly damaged, you might be able to gently place it back over your pearly white. You can use a small dab of toothpaste or temporary dental cement, if you have any, to hold it in place for the time being. Remember, the tooth or implant underneath the crown may also have been compromised and you don’t want to cause additional injury. Only try to put it back if you feel you can safely do so.
Soon, it will be time for your appointment. When you arrive, your dentist will perform an examination and may need to take images or X-rays to get a comprehensive picture of what happened to your tooth and determine the proper treatment moving forward. They’ll do what they can to alleviate your discomfort and protect your tooth, but you might need another appointment later to finish the repairs.
When it’s all said and done, you’ll be back to normal with a perfectly restored smile!
About the Author
Dr. John J. Roberson attended Louisiana Tech University for his undergraduate education and then earned his dental degree from the LSU School of Dentistry. Helping his patients feel calm and comfortable, especially in emergencies, is one of his highest priorities. He uses state-of-the-art technology like digital X-rays to provide the most current treatments for beautiful, long-lasting results. Plus, he offers same-day appointments and sedation options so you don’t have to wait for relief. If you’d like an appointment, you’re welcome to request one on the website or by calling (318) 343-2633.