The 3 Steps To Temporarily Reattaching A Lost Dental Crown

Dental crowns are designed to be extremely durable and last for many years. However, despite their strength, it is possible for a dental crown to come loose or to even fall off altogether. When this happens it is important for the crown to be reattached as quickly as possible in order to prevent damage to the underlying tooth or implant and to prevent tooth pain. Unfortunately, it may not always be possible to get in to see your dentist right away after losing your dental crown. The good news is that it is possible for you to easily reattach this crown yourself on a temporary basis until you are able to get in to see your dentist. The three steps outlined below will allow you to accomplish this task.

Step #1: Cleaning Your Crown

The first thing you will need to do is to ensure your dental crown is free of any food particles or other debris. This is very important since anything that is left inside your crown will be trapped under it once this process is complete. In order to clean your crown, you will want to begin by rinsing it under warm water. You may want to put a towel in the bottom of your sink when completing this task so that the crown does not crack or wash down the drain if you accidentally drop it. Once you have thoroughly rinsed the crown, use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste to clean it both inside and out. 

Step #2: Cleaning Your Tooth

Just as you thoroughly cleaned your dental crown, you will also need to clean the tooth that this crown sits on. Be sure to brush gently when cleaning this tooth and the surrounding gums so that you do not damage the tooth. If your crown sits on an implant rather than a natural tooth, you will also need to clean this implant before reattaching your crown. This can be done using a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. You may also wish to rinse with salt water in order to eliminate any remaining food that may be stuck in the surrounding gums. 

Step #3: Cementing The Crown In Place

The final step in this process will be to cement your dental crown back in place. This can be done using a small amount of dental cement that you can buy from a local drugstore or supermarket. Simply place a small amount of the cement inside your crown and position the crown over the tooth. Gently bite down on the crown until it is fully seated over the tooth. Using a damp cotton swab clean away any excess cement. 

A Final Thought

While you can easily reattach your lost dental crown using the three steps above, it is important to remember that the dental cement used in this process is only designed to be a temporary solution. This cement will wear off over time and your crown will once again begin to loosen. In order to prevent this, you will need to follow up with your dentist as soon as possible in order to have the crown reattached on a permanent basis.