If you suffer structural or aesthetic damage to a tooth, your dentist may repair it by covering it with a dental crown. A dentist places this ceramic cap over a vulnerable tooth and seals it into place with dental cement.
Though durable, dental crowns are not indestructible. If exposed to immense pressures, the crown can dislodge or break. A broken dental crown could leave the underlying tooth at risk of major harm. Read on to find advice from your dentist about what steps you need to take if you sustain damage to a dental crown.
Call Your Dentist Right Away
If your dental crown falls out of place or breaks, the seal and coverage protecting the tooth will break too. This means that plaque and other external threats could hurt the underlying tooth.
To prevent further damage to your tooth, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible. They will likely recommend that you schedule an urgent dental visit to repair and replace the dental crown.
You can also ask your dentist for advice on what actions to take before you arrive at their office. They can recommend methods for relieving pain or other uncomfortable symptoms. They can ensure their tips will apply to your unique dental scenario over the phone.
Prepare for an Emergency Dentist Appointment
You will need to visit your dentist for an emergency appointment where they can evaluate and fix your dental crown. Bring your damaged crown with you if possible so that the dentist can look at that too.
When you arrive, your dentist will examine the affected tooth and crown as well as the rest of your smile for other signs of damage. They can treat any underlying concerns they find.
If the crown is intact, the dentist can put it back over the tooth, sealing it into place once again. Damaged dental crowns will likely need a new dental crown to be constructed. The dentist can provide the patient with a temporary crown while they build the new crown.
Learn to Avoid Further Dental Crown Damage
When your dental crown is back in place over the tooth, you will want to take precautions to avoid damaging the fixture again. The ceramic material of a crown can withstand regular wear and tear, but not major exposure to pressure. Though accidents, like impact trauma, can hurt a dental crown, other preventable behaviors could also make a crown dislodge.
You can protect your crown from this damage by avoiding biting down on hard items, like fingernails or ice. Be careful when eating highly sticky or chewy foods too. The high pressure on your teeth generated from this action will make a crown break again.
If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth let your dentist know. Bruxism also creates heightened pressure on your teeth and dental crowns, putting them at risk of damage that will require emergency repairs.