Whether it is a small filling or a whole dental crown, these restorative devices can fall out. A filling or crown can become loose because of growing decay underneath the device, which could have eaten away at a part of the tooth that the crown or filling was secured to. Alternatively, an accident or physical trauma can cause these devices to become loose and fall out. In this situation it is important to stay calm, as there are ways you can deal with the situation at home until you can see the dentist.
What You Can Do At Home
If you lose a crown, put it in a safe place and make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. The exposed tooth will most likely be painful or sensitive. The best way to numb the pain and decrease any discomfort is to apply clove oil to the tooth with a cotton swab or ball.
If you have the detached crown, you can try to glue it back into place with tooth cement, dental adhesive or petroleum jelly, which you can find in the dental section of the drugstore. Ensure the affected area is clean before sticking the crown back on to your tooth.
These aren’t permanent solutions, but they will help hold the crown in place and limit discomfort until you can see your dentist. If you’ve lost the filling or crown, still put dental cement directly on to the tooth surface, as this will help to protect and seal the area in the interim.
What Your Dentist Will Do
If tooth decay has caused the filling or crown to fall out, your dentist will most likely need to remove the decay, prepare the tooth, and fit a new crown or filling. If an accident or physical trauma was the cause of the dental issue, depending on the damage to the tooth, a new crown or filling will need to be placed, or if you still have the old crown, it could be refitted onto the tooth.
