Dental crowns are prostheses used to restore damaged teeth or to cover discoloured or misshapen teeth. They are also referred to as caps, and they can improve your teeth and smile’s appearance, thus boosting your confidence. While crowns are durable, they can also fall out, leading to a dental emergency.
Here is a quick overview of what you should know about dental crowns falling out.
How Are Dental Crowns Fit on the Teeth?
Before putting on your dental crown, your dentist will prepare the tooth. Your dentist will apply local anaesthesia to numb the tooth and trim it to make enough room for the crown. Once your tooth is prepared, an impression will be taken. The impression will be sent to the dental laboratory, where your crown will be fabricated.
While you wait for your dental crown, your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown. The temporary crown can be made from acrylic, but it won’t be very durable. It is meant to be a placeholder until your dental crown is ready to be fitted.
On your second dental visit, usually after two weeks, your dentist will cement the dental crown to your tooth using dental cement or adhesive. Once the cement is set, your crown should be firmly in place.
It’s worth noting that you can also have a same-day dental crown. With this treatment, your tooth will be prepared, and your replacement tooth will be attached on the same day.
Can Dental Crowns Fall Off?
As mentioned, a dental crown can fall off for many reasons. On average, it should last 10 to 15 years, depending on the material used and how it is cared for. However, due to several factors, which we will discuss furthermore, it can fail and fall off.
Why Would a Dental Crown Fall Off?
There are various reasons why your dental crown could fall off, including:
- Poor oral hygiene
If you do not take care of your teeth and gums, there is a greater chance that your dental crown will fall off. Plaque and tartar filled with bacteria can form around the base of your crown. Aside from causing gum inflammation, plaque can weaken the cement that bonds the crown to the tooth. It can also cause decay of the tooth holding the crown. Eventually, it can lead to the crown falling off. - Wear and tear
Over time, the repeated stress from chewing can lead to a loose crown and eventually falling off. This most often occurs in ill-fitting dental crowns. - Grinding your teeth
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, can put a lot of pressure on your teeth and result in a loose crown. The constant grinding can cause the crown to slowly detach from the tooth, eventually leading to falling out. - Eating hard and sticky foods
Eating hard foods can put a lot of pressure and tension on your crown, causing it to loosen. It is advised that you avoid eating hard and sticky foods if you choose to have this treatment. - An improper fit
If your dental crown does not fit properly, it can eventually come loose and fall out. This is usually caused by a poor impression or an inaccurate measurement of your tooth. - Dental trauma
A dental injury, such as a blow to the mouth, can damage your tooth and loosen your dental crown. - Cancer treatment
While radiation therapy in the head and neck doesn’t directly affect your teeth, it can dry your mouth. Having a dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay, which can loosen your dental crown. - Dental cement failure
If your dental crown is bonded using a low-quality cement product, it is more likely to fall off. - Allergic reaction
In rare cases, an allergic reaction to dental cement can cause the gum tissue around the tooth to swell. When this happens, your crown needs to be removed to manage the allergic reaction.
How Can You Avoid Dental Crowns From Falling Out?
Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to prevent your crowns from falling off. These include:
- Proper oral hygiene
This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and using an antibacterial mouthwash. As a general rule, try brushing for at least 2 minutes each time to reach all surfaces of your teeth. - Regular dental visits
You should visit your dentist at least once every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup. Your dentist can spot potential problems, such as tooth decay, and address them immediately. - Wear a mouthguard
If you grind your teeth at night, your dentist can fit you with a night guard. This will protect your teeth from grinding and prevent your crowns from loosening. In addition, if you play sports, wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth from injury. - Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods
Avoid hard foods that can put a lot of pressure on your teeth as much as possible. If you must eat them, cut them into smaller pieces, so there is less chance of damaging your crown. - Be careful with your teeth
Avoid using your teeth as tools, like opening bottles or biting your nails. This can put a lot of stress on your teeth and loosen your crowns.
Final Thoughts
Dental crowns are durable dental devices used to cover an entire tooth that is damaged and discoloured to help you achieve a more beautiful smile. However, crowns are also prone to falling out. To avoid this, practice proper oral hygiene, visit your dentist regularly, and be careful with your teeth.
Call us to book a consultation if you plan on getting this dental care.
Piara Waters Dental is a modern dental clinic equipped with a state-of-the-art facility and a team of dentists with years of experience performing this dental procedure. During your appointment, we can assess your oral condition and determine if you are a good candidate for dental crowns. If you have issues like tooth decay or gum disease, we can recommend other treatments to address these problems. We will discuss the information you need to know so that you can decide which option fits your needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gum disease can result in gum recession, exposing the root of your tooth. This can make your tooth more susceptible to decay and damage, which can loosen your dental crown.
Dental crowns have a few benefits, such as improving the appearance of your smile by restoring damaged and discoloured teeth. They can also bring back your tooth’s natural shape, making it easier to chew, bite, and speak. In addition, tooth crowns can also help hold a dental bridge in place, protect a tooth, and cover a dental implant.
The most common types of dental crowns are gold, all-porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFM), zirconia, ceramic, metal, or a combination of these materials. Each type of crown has its advantages and disadvantages that your dentist can discuss during your consultation.
Dental crowns can be made to match the colour of your natural teeth so that they look as realistic as possible. However, some types of crowns, such as those made from gold and metal, can stand out and be easily noticeable.