If you have a damaged tooth, your dentist can restore its structure and protect it from further harm using a dental crown. This ceramic cap covers a tooth and seals into place with dental cement.
The durable material and secure fit ensure long-lasting restorative benefits. But a crown is not indestructible. If exposed to abnormal pressures, a crown might dislodge or crack.
This will mean that the underlying tooth is at risk of major dental issues, so you will need to take urgent action to preserve your smile. Read on to learn the steps you should take if you sustain damage to your dental crown.
What to Do If You Break a Dental Crown
Call Your Dentist Right Away
When your dentist gives you a dental crown, they must remove a minute amount of enamel from the tooth to make room for the cap. This means that if the crown breaks or falls off, your tooth is now vulnerable to plaque, bacteria, and other dental dangers.
For this reason, you should call your dentist about any damage to your dental work as soon as you can. Even if you do not feel pain or discomfort in the tooth, it could still be at risk of decay, infections, or more. Do not wait until your next scheduled dental visit to inform your dentist about this problem.
Attend an Emergency Dental Appointment
Your dentist will likely ask you to come to their office for an emergency dental evaluation if you suffer harm to your dental crown. If possible, bring your damaged crown with you to this appointment.
The dentist will check your crown, tooth, and the surrounding area of the mouth for signs of any additional damage. If the crown is still intact, they will use a special cement to reattach it to the tooth.
They can give you a temporary crown if you require a new crown to be made. You will return to your dentist’s office to receive a permanent crown once it is finished.
Prevent Further Damage to Your Dental Crown
With your dental crown secured over your tooth once again, you will want to take precautions to avoid this dental emergency happening again. To prevent further harm to your crown, do not bite down on hard items. Examples include ice, the end of a pen, and fingernails.
Also, let your dentist know if you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth. This behavior will generate pressure that could wear down your dental work over time. Your dentist can help you stop this habit or protect your smile from this abnormal pressure.
You can also keep your dental crown looking and feeling its best by continuing your good oral hygiene regimen. When you remove plaque in a timely fashion, you can protect your surrounding teeth from decay, gum disease, and other issues.
These dental problems may alter your smile, which can in turn affect the fit of your crown. Brush your teeth twice per day and floss daily to prevent these dental issues from impacting your dental work.
