That was the sound my lunch—and my dignity—made when I bit down on what I thought was a cashew in my stir-fry. Turns out, it was my back molar’s dental crown making a jailbreak.
One second I’m enjoying my meal, the next I’m staring at a tiny porcelain cap in my palm like it’s a rogue puzzle piece. Cue the internal panic:
“Did I just break my tooth? Can I superglue this back? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING DURING LUNCH?!”
If you’re reading this because your crown just pulled a Houdini, take a deep breath. I survived (with my tooth intact), and you will too. Here’s exactly what to do when a dental crown falls out—plus the mistakes I learned the hard way so you don’t have to.
Step 1: Don’t Panic (But Do Fish That Crown Out of Your Food)
First rule of Crown Club: Don’t swallow it. (Or drop it down the sink. Yes, I almost did both.)
- Spit gently to avoid launching your crown into orbit.
- Check your bite for sharp edges—the exposed tooth might feel weird or sensitive.
- Locate the crown like it’s dental treasure. Found it? Rinse it with warm water—no soap, scrubbing, or bleach (this isn’t a DIY craft project).
Pro Tip: If your crown vanished into your pasta, use a strainer. I wish I were joking.
Step 2: Assess the Damage (Is This a DIY or 911 Situation?)
Not all crown disasters are equal:
Best Case: The crown popped off cleanly and looks intact.
Worst Case: It’s cracked, the tooth underneath hurts, or the crown is MIA.
If the crown’s fine, you might reattach it temporarily (more on that below).
If it’s broken or lost, skip to Step 4 and call your dentist.
Step 3: The Temporary Fix (AKA How to Not Look Like a Halloween Prop)
“Can’t I just glue it back on?”
NO. (Unless you want toxic chemicals + a very angry dentist.)
Instead:
- Pick up dental cement from a pharmacy ($5-$10). It’s like temporary crown superglue.
- Dry the crown and tooth gently with gauze.
- Apply a pea-sized dab of cement to the crown’s inside.
- Press it onto your tooth and bite down softly for 30 seconds.
My Experience: This held my crown for 48 hours until my dentist appointment. Just avoid chewing on that side!
Step 4: Call Your Dentist (Even If It Feels Fine)
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait:
- Bacteria loves exposed teeth (hello, decay).
- Your bite might shift, making the crown not fit later.
- The tooth could get sensitive to hot/cold (not fun).
Dentist’s Typical Game Plan:
- If the crown’s intact, they’ll clean and re-cement it in 10 minutes.
- If it’s damaged, they’ll make a new one (1-2 weeks).
5 Crown Commandments to Avoid Repeat Disasters
- Thou shalt not chew ice/hard candy (RIP, my caramel apple habit).
- Thou shalt wear a night guard if you grind teeth (guilty).
- Thou shalt floss gently—no yanking near the crown.
- Thou shalt visit thy dentist yearly to check the cement.
- Thou shalt not panic (because now you’re a crown crisis pro).
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
Losing a crown feels like a dental horror story, but it’s usually an easy fix. My stir-fry fiasco ended with a 10-minute dentist visit and zero judgment (just a gentle “maybe cut your food smaller next time”).
TL;DR:
- Save the crown.
- Protect the tooth (temp cement or sugar-free gum).
- Call your dentist ASAP.
Now go forth—and maybe stick to soup for today.
FAQs:
How long can you go if your crown falls off?
Ideally, 24-48 hours. Longer waits risk tooth damage or shifting.
Can I brush my teeth if my crown fell off?
Yes, but avoid the exposed tooth—gentle rinsing is better.
Is a crown falling out a dental emergency?
Only if there’s pain/swelling. Otherwise, book a quick appointment.
What to do if a crown has fallen out?
- Save it.
- Rinse it.
- Temp cement it (or cover the tooth).
- Call your dentist.
