My Temporary Crown Fell Off

If your tooth is damaged and cannot be filled with a tooth filling, your dentist will likely recommend a permanent crown.

However, the process of making a permanent crown and placing it in your mouth is not that straightforward. A temporary crown is a necessary step before a permanent one.

Of course, temporary crowns are not made of the same material as permanent ones. As such, they are not as sturdy and can easily break and fall off.

If your temporary crown has fallen off, don't panic. Read on to find out what you can do to protect your teeth until you see your dentist.

When do you need a temporary crown?

A temporary crown is a small tooth-shaped cap that covers and protects your tooth or an implant until a permanent crown can be inserted. Temporary crowns are necessary because a permanent crown cannot be made quickly. Their production takes a lot of time and precision work.

In the meantime, the remaining part of your tooth needs to be protected by something to keep it intact and free of bacteria. This is where temporary crowns come into play.

They offer you numerous advantages:

• Protection for teeth and gums
• No tooth or gum sensitivity
• You can smile confidently without a gap
• They keep the correct distance between your teeth
• You can eat and chew normally
• Your dentist can assess how your permanent crown is performing

How long do you need to have a temporary crown?

Your temporary crown will most likely need to stay for two to three weeks. Of course, certain dentists and clinics can make a permanent crown sooner.

However, the highest quality and most durable crowns take more time.

How often you will wear a temporary crown also depends on the amount of dental work that was required before the adjustment.

For example, if you had to get dental implants, it might take you more than a month for your tooth and gums to heal. Only then can your dentist fit you a permanent crown.

Will the temporary crown look like your natural teeth?

Yes, the crown will be quite similar to your teeth, both in shape and color. The only and most important difference lies in its material and therefore in its strength.

The temporary crown is more delicate than your natural teeth or permanent crown, so you will need extra care.

My temporary crown fell off: causes and prevention

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As mentioned earlier, your temporary crown is more likely to break off or fall out if you're not careful.

Here are the main causes of your crown falling off:

The food you consume

Your dentist will use a special type of cement when fitting your temporary crown onto your tooth or implant. This cement is made to hold the crown in place for a short period of time, up to a month.

As a result, it is not as strong as the common cement used for permanent crowns.

Therefore, if you continue to eat hard or sticky foods, it may not last too long. Hence, you should try to avoid harsh snacks, especially nuts or chips.

Also, it would be best if you didn't eat sticky sweets and anything too cold.

Sweet foods can cause tooth decay and bacteria if your crown isn't set well. In the meantime, cold or hot food can cause the cement holding the crown to crumble.

Here is a somewhat comprehensive list of foods to avoid:

• Steak or any kind of tough meat
• Crispy bagels or bread
• Hard or crunchy fresh fruits and vegetables (carrots or apples)
• Corn
• rubber
• Popcorn
• Ice cream
• Hard candy
• caramel
• Ice cubes

Of course, that doesn't mean that you should just give up on everything you love. Instead, we recommend that you be careful and try to protect the temporary crown as much as possible.

The way you take care of the crown

Temporary crowns require a little more care than your natural teeth. For example, you need to be careful with flossing so you don't accidentally loosen the crown.

Just try to gently slide the floss in and out instead of pulling it down as you normally would. This will keep the crown in place and take care of your teeth.

Caution is also advised when brushing your teeth. Try to put less pressure on the tooth with the crown and brush your teeth slowly so that you do not damage anything.

What to do if your temporary crown has fallen off

The first and most important thing you should do is not panic. These things happen, and it's really no big deal. As soon as you notice the crown has fallen out, call your dentist and make an appointment. They will see you asap and replace the crown.

If they can't see you right away because it's late or on the weekend, you're still fine. Just try not to chew with your tooth and keep the area as clean as possible.

Also, be careful not to cut your tongue or the inside of your mouth. This can happen if the tooth under the crown is crooked and sharp.

All in all, all you have to do is be patient and wait for your dentist appointment. Don't be nervous or try not to panic. Your tooth will be fine and your dentist will be putting a new temporary crown on you in no time.

A few words of farewell

Temporary crowns are a common intermediate step that precedes a permanent tooth crown. However, they are made of delicate materials and can break or fall if you are not careful.

If your temporary crown has fallen off, the most important thing to do is call your dentist and make an appointment. There you will receive a new crown and you can continue to live as usual.

About the author:

Maria S. Johnson, DDS, is an Associate Professor in the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. She teaches in both the Bachelor's degree in Doctor of Dentistry and the Advanced Education General Dentistry Residency.