A dentist designs a dental crown with durability and oral health protection in mind. The ceramic cap covers the entire surface of a tooth and seals into place with dental cement. This establishes a secure shield over a vulnerable tooth. And you can count on the fixture to remain in place as you complete your usual oral functions, like chewing and biting.
But accidents can occur, and you might break or dislodge a crown if the fixture endures high amounts of pressure. If this happens, the underlying tooth could be at risk of major dental damage.
You will need to seek urgent repairs for a broken crown from your dentist. You can react more swiftly in the event of this dental emergency when you know what to do ahead of this incident. Find the steps you should take if you suffer damage to a dental crown when you read on.
Contact Your Dentist Right Away
As soon as you notice or suspect that you cracked, loosened, or broke a dental crown, you should call your dentist. In many cases, the dental patient may feel oral pain or tooth sensitivity in the affected tooth. But even if you do not experience symptoms related to the damaged crown, the tooth will still be at risk of further harm.
A temporary fix like an over-the-counter dental adhesive might not hold the crown in the proper place over the tooth. Contact your dentist before using these products to avoid worsening the situation.
Urgent action in the event of a damaged dental crown is crucial. If you delay dental attention, you could risk harming the affected tooth, the ceramic cap, and the surrounding teeth. Give your dentist a call as soon as you can. They can also provide advice on what to do in the immediate aftermath, including pain management.
Attend an Emergency Dental Appointment
Your dentist will ask you to attend an emergency appointment at their office as soon as possible. Make sure you bring the dental crown with you to the appointment if it has dislodged from the tooth.
The dentist will evaluate the crown, the tooth, and the rest of your mouth to see the extent of the damage. If the crown is intact, the dentist can put it back in its place over the tooth in this appointment.
However, if the crown suffers too much damage, you will need a replacement crown. The dentist can give you a temporary cap to protect the tooth until a new permanent one is ready.
Prevent Future Damage to Your Dental Crown
Once you have a dental crown safely and securely in your smile, you want to ensure this dental damage does not happen again. Protect your dental crown from further harm by avoiding biting abnormally hard items unnecessarily. For instance, do not bite your fingernails, chew ice, or nibble at the end of a pen.
You should also adhere to a consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine. Keep your teeth and crown clean to avoid cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues that could affect the fit of your crown.