Originally posted on https://www.creating-smiles.com/what-to-do-when-your-crown-falls-out/

Losing a crown is not an unusual occurrence, although the sudden appearance of a detached tooth in your mouth might conjure up memories of baby teeth and tooth fairies. Usually, crowns fall out because of some kind of trauma, nighttime grinding, or decay of the underlying tooth. If your crown came off, don’t panic. We’ll tell you exactly what you need to do.

The Moment of Realization: Oh no! My Crown Came Off!

As soon as you realize that your crown has come off, remove it from your mouth (or find it if it fell out). Did you swallow it? Don’t panic, although that means you will likely need to be fitted for a new one. No one wants to reattach a crown that has passed through their digestive system.

Before you do anything, rinse the area with warm water and clean it gently with a toothbrush. Call your dentist to schedule an appointment within a week, perhaps sooner if the tooth is hurting.

Temporary Care: Clean and Seal the Crown

While you are cleaning the crown, take a look inside it. If your tooth fractured and is inside the crown, you will have to see your dentist before anything can be done.  If the crown looks hollow or if there is a small metal rod coming out of it (about the width of a paper clip), then you may be able to temporarily cement it back into your mouth before seeing a dentist to get it permanently cemented.

When you call to make an appointment, your dentist may give you the okay to use a temporary crown glue that safely adheres the crown to the existing tooth. Most pharmacies carry this type of glue. Keep in mind that this is, indeed, a temporary solution. Use caution when eating chewy or sticky foods – there is a risk that the crown will come loose again and you could swallow or inhale it.  Whatever you do, do not use Super Glue. It does not bind well to teeth, and, worse, the cyanoacrylate in products like Super Glue can kill the underlying tooth.

Get Thee to a Dentist: The Permanent Fix for a Missing Crown

Your dentist will examine the tooth and crown to determine why the crown came off and map out the best course of action. You may need a new filling or a new crown. At the very least, your dentist will need to sterilize the area to eliminate any bacteria before permanently cementing the crown back onto your tooth.

Remember: your DIY fix was temporary. Only a dentist can take the proper steps to ensure the best fix for your lost crown. You should always have an action plan ready to go for dental emergencies like these.

Have a dental emergency but no dentist? Look no further. Creating Smiles is here to help. We offer full dental emergency care.