Emergency-article | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan

Problems with Crowns

Crowns can loosen, be damaged, or fall out. You should address any of these issues as soon as possible. Delaying can expose the underlying tooth structure to decay, cause teeth to shift, or allow bacteria to enter your jaw and bloodstream. Emergency departments and urgent care facilities are not generally equipped to treat problems with crowns.

What to do

Call your dentist immediately for evaluation and treatment. Whether the crown is temporary or permanent, it's best to have the appointment within one to two days to prevent your teeth from shifting. If this happens, you may need to have a new crown created.
If your crown has fallen out, retrieve it and keep it safely stored. Ask your dentist if you should put the crown back onto the tooth. If they agree you should do this, here are some simple steps you can take:
- Purchase temporary dental cement from a pharmacy to adhere the crown to the tooth. If you cannot acquire temporary dental cement from a pharmacy, apply a small dab of toothpaste or petroleum jelly inside the crown. Place the crown back on the tooth in the correct position to create a temporary seal. If the crown will not stay in place, you should stop. There is a risk it could be swallowed or inhaled (aspirated). Aspiration of a crown is a rare but serious event.
- Avoid using that tooth as much as possible.
- Brush very lightly, or flush the area using an oral rinse.
- Avoid any hard or sticky foods.

Emergencies

Problems with Crowns

What to do