What to Do About Damaged Dental Crowns

A dental crown is an effective, useful restorative dental treatment that protects and preserves a tooth after damage or dental work. It features a ceramic cap that covers an affected tooth and is sealed into place for long-term benefits.

Crowns are durable, withstanding the everyday wear and tear that your teeth experience, but accidents can happen that dislodge or harm your dental crowns. Dr. Vijay Patel, a dentist in Claremont, CA, describes actions you can take if you damage your dental crowns.

Call Your Dentist As Soon As Possible

When your dentist secures your dental crowns in place, they shave off some of the enamel from the affected tooth to make room for the cap. If your dental crown becomes loose or falls out, this can leave the inner layer of dentin exposed to exterior elements.

Dentin contains nerves that send pain signals to the brain when stimulated, which can leave you with excruciating symptoms like tooth sensitivity. Thus, dental crown damage is considered a dental emergency, and you should contact your dentist as soon as possible.

When you call your dentist, they will schedule an emergency appointment for you to repair this damage to your dental crown. They can also provide advice about how to alleviate any painful symptoms before your appointment.

Prepare for Emergency Dentist Appointment

If your dental crown has fallen out, you should bring it with you to your emergency dentist appointment. Your dentist will examine your mouth for signs of any additional damage that might need to be amended.

Your dentist can then replace the crown over your tooth if the dental crown is otherwise intact. If you require a new crown, your dentist can provide you with a temporary crown to fit over your tooth while a permanent crown is being constructed.

Prevent Future Dental Crown Damage

To protect your dental crown and avoid damage in the future, you should be aware of your oral habits. Crowns are durable but can be vulnerable to breakage if exposed to abnormal amounts of pressure.

For this reason, you should avoid biting down on hard objects, such as fingernails, the end of a pen, or ice. You should also let your dentist know if you grind your teeth in your sleep. They may recommend that you wear a mouthguard overnight to prevent damage to your teeth or dental crowns.

Claremont Dental Institute offers dental crowns and restorative dental treatments to patients in Claremont, CA.