{"id":239,"date":"2020-04-16T20:06:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T20:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.princealbertdental.com\/blog\/?p=239"},"modified":"2026-07-23T19:29:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T00:29:09","slug":"what-to-do-if-your-dental-crown-breaks-or-falls-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.princealbertdental.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/16\/what-to-do-if-your-dental-crown-breaks-or-falls-off\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do if Your Dental Crown Breaks or Falls Off"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dental crowns are a versatile way to fix a variety of dental issues, including everything from strengthening a weakened tooth, holding together broken enamel, and covering up unsightly cosmetic flaws. These durable, tooth-shaped caps are designed to stay firmly in place for up to 15 years, but that doesn’t always happen. Bad oral health habits and everyday accidents can suddenly damage your dental crown and expose the vulnerable tooth underneath. Here’s a step-by-step guide from your Prince Albert dentist<\/a> to keep your smile safe if your dental crown breaks or falls off. <\/p>

Step One: Protect & Inspect Your Smile<\/h2>

Examine your mouth, teeth, and dental crown as soon as you can.\nDon’t keep a fallen-off dental crown or any broken pieces in your mouth to\navoid accidentally swallowing or biting down on them. If the crown is very\nloose, you may want to preemptively remove it to keep yourself safe. <\/p>

Next, look for any sharp edges. If your tooth is completely\nrevealed because the dental crown has come off, check to see if it has been cracked\nor chipped. You can carefully run your tongue over it to feel for rough patches\nand test for tooth sensitivity. This is all important information your dentist\nwill need to know. <\/p>

Step Two: Call Your Dentist<\/h2>

Thankfully, a broken or missing crown is not typically a\ndental emergency. However, you need to call your dentist and see them right\naway to protect the exposed tooth from damage and decay. Explain your situation\nto your dentist with as much detail as you can over the phone. This will help\nthem determine if your tooth can be treated in a few days or if it needs urgent\ndental care. They’ll also be able to give you personalized first aid guidance\nfor your specific circumstances. <\/p>

Step Three: Managing Discomfort & Preventing Damage<\/h2>

Rinsing your mouth out with a glass of warm water with a teaspoon\nof salt dissolved into it is a great way to keep bacteria away from the broken\nor missing dental crown. Until you can reach your dentist’s office, you can\nmanage any discomfort and prevent further damage by:<\/p>