If Your Crown Comes Off

• Keep the crown and bring it with you. It can often be re-cemented

• Rinse gently with warm water

• Avoid chewing on that tooth

• Do not use super glue or household adhesives

• Call us as soon as possible

Why Crowns Fail

• Decay under the crown: the most common cause

• Worn-out cement: the crown gradually loosens

• Grinding and clenching: overloads the crown over time

• A crack in the tooth underneath

• Age: all dental work has a limited lifespan

Warning Signs

• A loose crown

• Bad taste or odor around it

• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or biting

• A dark line or gap at the gumline

• Chipped porcelain

Treatment

• Re-cementation: if the crown fits well and the tooth is healthy

• New crown: if there is decay, damage, or poor fit. We place a temporary crown while the new one is made

• Root canal treatment: if the nerve is affected

• Extraction and replacement: if the tooth cannot be saved, with a [Dental Implant →] or bridge

Dr. Kim looks beyond the crown to understand why it failed, including your bite, grinding habits, and gum health, so the next one lasts longer.