Your dentist might give you a dental crown if one of your teeth sustains structural damage. This ceramic cap will fit over a tooth, restoring its shape and providing a shield to prevent further dental harm. Though designed to withstand everyday wear and tear, extreme pressure could cause the crown to dislodge or break.
If your crown suffers damage, the underlying tooth might be in danger. Do not ignore this problem. Contact your dentist straight away. Read on to find actions you should take if you suffer breakage to your dental crown.
What to Do If You Damage a Dental Crown
Call Your Dentist As Soon As Possible
When a dentist provides a patient with a dental crown, they must shave away a small amount of the tooth’s enamel to make room for the cap. The crown serves as a replacement for this lost enamel. And the dental cement holding the crown in place will create a seal to further protect the tooth.
If a crown falls off of the tooth or cracks, this seal is broken. The underlying tooth is then exposed to external threats, including plaque and bacteria.
Some patients might feel pain when they hurt their dental crown. But even if they do not notice any symptoms, they should call their dentist as soon as they can. The dentist can also provide advice over the phone for actions to take to alleviate symptoms right away.
Prepare for an Emergency Dentist Appointment
Your dentist will likely ask you to come to their office for an emergency dental evaluation. Bring your broken dental crown with you to this visit if possible. The dentist will examine the damaged crown, the affected tooth, and the surrounding area of the mouth for signs of other damage. They will provide treatment as needed.
Then, if the crown is still intact, the dentist will put it over the tooth again, using dental cement to secure it into place. If you require a new crown, your dentist can provide you with a temporary crown while a permanent one is being constructed in the dental lab. You will return to the office for its placement once it is ready, which usually takes a few weeks.
Prevent Future Harm to Your Dental Crown
Once you have a dental crown secured over your tooth again, you will want to take measures to avoid damaging it further. Abnormally high pressure can harm your crown, so take care to avoid biting down on hard items like fingernails or ice. If you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, the pressure from this action can hurt a crown too.
Your dentist can help you kick poor oral habits like bruxism and protect your teeth and dental work. They will also provide effective preventative dental care through teeth cleanings and routine exams.
These efforts will ensure the surrounding areas of the mouth stay healthy and unchanged. You should practice good oral hygiene at home too to take proper care of your smile and dental crowns.