{"id":102,"date":"2020-04-16T17:57:41","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T17:57:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kernfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/?p=102"},"modified":"2020-04-30T17:57:53","modified_gmt":"2020-04-30T17:57:53","slug":"what-do-i-do-if-my-dental-crown-breaks-or-falls-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kernfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/what-do-i-do-if-my-dental-crown-breaks-or-falls-off\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do I Do If My Dental Crown Breaks or Falls Off?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Concerned<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dental\ncrowns<\/a> are versatile tooth-shaped caps that can repair or strengthen a\ntooth for 15 years or more. However, these durable solutions are not\ninvincible. A dental injury from a contact sport or a bad habit like chewing on\npen caps can suddenly damage or knock loose your dental crown and expose the\nvulnerable tooth underneath. To help you stay calm in this potentially scary\nsituation, your Grafton dentist explains what steps you need to take if your\ndental crown breaks or falls off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Step One: Protect & Inspect Your Smile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As soon as you can, get to a mirror and take a close look at\nyour mouth, teeth, and damaged dental crown. Remove any broken pieces or the\ndetached crown to prevent accidentally swallowing or biting down on them. If\nyour crown is still on your tooth, but it is very loose and you\u2019re not\nexperiencing any pain, you may want to preemptively take it out of your mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, examine your tooth and any remaining parts of your\ncrown. Have either been chipped or cracked enough to create sharp edges that\ncan cut your soft tissues? If you need to, you can carefully run your tongue\nover the area to gauge tooth sensitivity and any rough patches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step Two: Call Your Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since a dental crown is designed to protect or strengthen\nteeth that are weakened, broken, or vulnerable to decay, it\u2019s important that the\ndamage is addressed right away. However, you don\u2019t need to immediately rush to\nyour emergency dentist if your dental crown falls off or breaks. Call your\ndentist as soon as you can and explain your circumstances in as much detail as possible.\nThey\u2019ll determine whether your situation is a dental emergency that needs\nurgent care or if you can wait a few days for treatment. Once your appointment\nis set, they\u2019ll also be able to give you personalized first aid guidance over\nthe phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step Three: Managing Discomfort & Preventing Damage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you wait for your dental appointment, gently rinse your\nmouth out with a warm glass of saltwater to keep bacteria away and soothe any\nirritation. Until you reach your dentist\u2019s office, you can manage discomfort\nand prevent further damage by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n