What Should I Do If My Dental Crown Fails? Westwyn Dental LLC Explains

Our dental crowns are designed to last many years with good care. However, even with the best techniques, your crown can fail. 

Common reasons include: 

• Tooth decay: While the crown itself can’t decay, the natural tooth underneath is still vulnerable. If bacteria sneak under the crown, cavities can develop, leading to failure.
• Injury: Knocks, falls, and sports injuries can be severe enough to dislodge your crown. That’s why we recommend a sports mouthguard—it protects your crowns and teeth from sports-related injuries.
• Poor oral habits: Chronic teeth grinding (bruxism), chewing non-food items, etc., can weaken and dislodge your crown over time.
• Gum recession: Periodontal disease, aggressive brushing, poor genetics, etc., can cause receding gums. Gum recession exposes the edge of the tooth beneath the crown. This can cause sensitivity, decay, or a weakened foundation.
• Wear and tear: Your dental crowns are long-lasting but not permanent. After 10-15 years, it’s normal for your crown to show signs of wear.
• Cement breakdown: The adhesive used to secure the crown can wear down, leading to loosening or detachment.

Although your crown won’t last forever, you control most factors leading to premature failure. Your dentist provides expert guidance on proper care to help your crown last many years. Since replacing a lost or damaged crown is costly, it’s best to protect your investment with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.

When your crown loosens or falls out, it poses a considerable risk to the underlying tooth. Swift action saves your tooth from infection and unnecessary pain. Here are steps you can take to protect your tooth and dislodged crown. 

• If fallen-out, locate the crown, rinse it with warm water, and place it in a container.
• The exposed tooth may be sensitive and vulnerable to damage. Rinse it with salty water and avoid chewing on that side.
• If you can’t see your dentist immediately, you can re-attach your crown with temporary dental cement available at most pharmacies.
• A loose or dislodged crown is a dental emergency. Call your dentist and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Your dentist will assess whether the crown can be re-cemented or a new one is needed.