Three Tips to Deal With a Loose Dental Crown

Three Tips to Deal With a Loose Dental Crown from Joyful Dental Care in Chicago, ILDental crowns are supposed to last forever, right? In the right set of circumstances, they could. Some crowns will last several decades while others will last a lifetime. Then there is the dental crown that comes loose for one reason or another. A loose crown means that a trip to the dentist is in the cards for you, so get on that. In the meantime, here is what to do with a loose dental cap.

What a loose dental crown feels like

Should a dental crown have any play or wiggle? The answer is no. Dental crowns bond onto the underlying tooth with bonding or some other type of dental adhesive. This means that the crown should be immovable, just like a healthy tooth. There are several other tell-tale signs that a dental crown is loose:

  • Tooth sensitivity to heat, air, pressure, and certain foods
  • Food getting stuck at the gum line, where the crown meets the gums
  • Pain or throbbing in the underlying tooth
  • Visible cracks, breaks, and fractures

Ideally, a crown will stay intact barring situations like an old crown, teeth grinding, continued tooth decay, and injury. Poor workmanship on the part of some dentists could also result in ill-fitting crowns. Habits like chewing on hard or sticky foods can also pull a crown loose. Here is what to do when a dental crown comes loose. Keep in mind that these are stop-gap measures:

1. Temporary dental cement for a temporary fix

This fix only applies to a completely loose crown. It should take zero effort or pain to lift the crown off the tooth. Remove the loose crown and use a toothbrush to scrub off any remaining dental cement. Rinse the crown and the now-exposed tooth. Clean the tooth as thoroughly as possible. Next, dry both the crown and the tooth with gauze. Lastly, apply dental cement to the inner surface of the crown and place it on top of the tooth. Allow the cement to set by biting down on a small roll of gauze.

2. Leave the crown alone if it is still bonded to the tooth

Pulling out a crown that still attaches to the underlying tooth can cause even more damage. The best remedy for such a scenario is to see a dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, take care to clean around the gumline.

3. Sugar-free gum

Cracks, breaks, and fractures can loosen a crown and expose the inner tooth. If the crown still adheres to parts of the tooth, encase it with sugar-free gum. The gum will form a temporary barrier against food particles and other unpleasant substances. This is a temporary measure that tides the patient over as they wait to see their dentist.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges in Chicago, IL

Restore the lost glory of your crown, starting with a simple phone call

The sooner you get a dentist to re-fit your dental crown, the better. That is why you should make an appointment with our practice right now. Our dentist has a masterful hand and years of experience fitting dental caps. They have the testimonials of many happy patients to show for it. Join the long queue of happy patients and see your crown last for many, many years.

Request an appointment or call Joyful Dental Care at 773-786-9560 for an appointment in our Chicago office.

Recent Posts

3 Questions To Ask Before Getting Dental Crowns

If you have teeth that are severely damaged and decayed, dental crowns may be the only option available to preserve them. A crown consists of a cap that is placed over a prepared tooth and cemented permanently in place. The cap is shaped like a tooth to blend in with the others, providing strength, protection,…

Five Tips To Care For Your Dental Crown

Dental crowns can restore your natural smile and dental function. Many individuals suffer from low self-esteem due to their teeth condition, but this improves when they get dental crowns. However, these crowns are not inexpensive, and you must keep them in good shape to ensure that they last a long time. Dental crowns will last…

Important Facts To Know About Dental Crowns

When dentists recommend dental crowns, they are referring to caps that they place atop damaged teeth. Crowns restore the shape of a patient's tooth, covering the tooth and protecting it from further damage when fillings are insufficient. Dentists shape crowns from porcelain, resin, metal, or ceramic.Every day, dentists use dental crowns to restore smiles. When…

Recent Posts

What Is Considered Routine Dental Care

What Is Considered Routine Dental Care

A crucial component of being healthy is routine dental care. When oral health is ignored, harmful bacteria can compromise the rest of the body. Healthy dental practices involve a two-prong approach of visiting the dentist regularly and continuing oral health care at home. Discover more about what is considered routine and effective dental care practices.Making…

Routine Dental Care FAQs

Routine Dental Care FAQs

Maintaining routine dental care is important for oral and overall health, but many patients have questions about what it consists of beyond daily brushing and flossing. The right answers can help patients of any age understand the importance of providing optimum care for their teeth and the possible issues if they fail to follow through.…