It would be disconcerting if you noticed your temporary crown fell off. But what causes this to happen, and what can you do about it? These are the important questions.
A temporary crown will normally be placed on top of a natural tooth or implant by your dentist. This is because of the time it takes to build a permanent dental crown properly. Matching a permanent crown to the contour of your teeth and correctly fitting it is a time-consuming operation that can take a week or more.
In the meantime, a temporary crown with temporary dental cement protects the affected tooth from further tooth decay until the final crown can be produced.
A temporary crown will also help you chew food and eat correctly while you wait for your permanent crown to come. It will also provide the dentist with information on how the crown is working so that any changes to the permanent crown may be made while you wait.
WHAT MAKES TEMPORARY CROWNS FALL OUT?
A temporary adhesive and crown is used as part of the process when a crown, or tooth cap is put in. This is a temporary crown that is placed on your teeth while your permanent dental crowns are being created in a specialist dental laboratory. It may take a few weeks for your custom crown to be completed, which means you will be wearing a temporary crown during that time. Over time, it is possible it can fall off. If your temporary crown falls off, check to see if there are any dental appointments immediately available to get it fixed. However, this is not usually a dental emergency.
Temporary crowns are necessary because they safeguard your tooth while also acting as a placeholder in your mouth while waiting for a permanent one. They can assist you in eating, talking, and functioning normally. Temporary crowns are held in place by a temporary cement. As a result, they occasionally fall off.
SOLUTIONS WHEN A TEMPORARY CROWN FALLS OUT
Whether your temporary crown fell off or completely broke, contact your dentist to see if replacements are available. Make an appointment as quickly as possible so that they can bond it back into place.
Meanwhile, if you still have the crown, carefully rinse it in warm water and inspect it for any damage. To prevent it from infection and damage, store it in a small plastic container or bag.
If the crown has fallen off and you have misplaced it, make an appointment to have a replacement crown placed.
It's essential not to leave a gap where the temporary crown was for very long. A temporary crown serves various purposes, including guaranteeing the integrity of your underlying tooth and protecting the open area from infection and sensitivity. But it also holds precise space so that the surrounding teeth don’t shift. If the crown has fallen off, you will most likely notice that your bite is irregular or asymmetrical.
You may discover dental cement below once the underlying region has become exposed due to crown loss. This cement may have sharp edges or a jagged edge, but it is critical to preserve this region now that the temporary crown is missing. Applying a small amount of orthodontic wax or denture adhesive to the affected region can be a temporary remedy. You may find these compounds at your local drug store or pharmacy.
You must rinse often and follow your dentist's oral hygiene guidelines until the crown can be re-cemented. This includes keeping the exposed region clean of food particles and other material that might promote infection and worsen the situation by rinsing frequently and avoid chewing directly on the affected area.
If you are in discomfort, follow the steps above as well as take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen to aid with pain and reduce inflammation.
CONCLUSION
If your temporary crown slips out, contact your dentist right away. They will want you to return ASAP to get the temporary crown repaired. If your orthodontist can't see you quickly to fix your temporary crown, they can usually recommend an emergency dentist or other local practice that may be able to assist you.
Check with other local dentists to see if they have walk-in appointments for fixing temporary crowns. You may also look for nearby walk-in or emergency dentists that do not require appointments and can treat you right away.
In many cases, replacing a temporary crown is not an emergency. You can normally wait a few days for an appointment, particularly if you can temporarily put the crown back yourself.
FAQS
HOW LONG CAN YOU GO IF YOUR TEMPORARY CROWN FALLS OFF?
Because a temporary crown falls off more frequently than most patients think, it is critical to see a dentist within one or two days when possible. Even if you are able to re-cement the crown, you must have it re-seated by a dentist.
IS IT OK TO LEAVE THE TEMPORARY CROWN OFF?
It's best to protect the area that the temporary crown covers. A temporary crown serves various purposes, including guaranteeing the integrity of your bite and protecting the underlying region from infection.
CAN I BRUSH MY TEETH IF MY TEMPORARY CROWN FELL OFF?
If the crown has been lost, you need to try to protect the tooth. Parts of your teeth are now visible without the crown, and the tooth may be sensitive. Brush the teeth gently with toothpaste and rinse frequently to help remove some particles and maintain the region cleanliness before your dental appointment.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY TEMPORARY CROWN FALLS OUT?
Contact your dentist to see if replacements are available. Make an appointment as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, if you have the crown, carefully rinse it in warm water and inspect it for any damage.