Dental crowns are designed to be strong and long-lasting, but occasionally, they can come loose or fall off. Whether it happens while you’re eating, brushing your teeth, or even going about your daily business, a lost crown can be alarming—but it’s a problem that can be solved. If you’re in Irvine and your dental crown falls off, here’s what you should do.

1. Retrieve the Crown

If your crown has fallen off, try to find it and keep it in a safe place. Rinse it gently with water to remove any food particles or debris. In some cases, your dentist may be able to reattach it if the crown and underlying tooth are still in good condition.

2. Inspect the Tooth

Take a look in the mirror to see what’s left behind. If the tooth underneath feels sensitive or painful, it may be exposed to air, temperature changes, or bacteria. This discomfort is common and usually temporary—but avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you see your dentist.

3. Call Your Dentist in Irvine

Reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. While a missing crown isn’t typically an emergency, it should be addressed quickly to prevent further damage or decay to the exposed tooth. Let your dental office know what happened, and schedule an appointment to evaluate your situation.

4. Keep the Area Clean

Until you can get to your appointment, maintain good oral hygiene. Brush gently around the exposed tooth and avoid sticky, hard, or sugary foods. You can rinse with warm salt water to keep the area clean and reduce the risk of irritation or infection.

5. Avoid DIY Fixes

It might be tempting to use household glue or adhesives, but don’t. These substances can be harmful to your tooth and make professional reattachment more difficult.

What Causes a Crown to Fall Off?

Crowns can loosen over time due to wear and tear, decay underneath the crown, or trauma (like biting down on something hard). If you grind your teeth at night without wearing a nightguard, the continual friction of the grinding can gradually weaken your crown. But even in the best crowns placed by the most experienced dentists, the strength of the bonding material naturally diminishes over time – it’s a normal and natural part of the procedure.

If your crown has fallen off, don’t worry—your Irvine dentist can help. Whether it needs to be re-cemented or replaced, we’ll restore your tooth and get your smile back to normal quickly and comfortably. Contact My Dentist Joe to schedule your visit today.