What You Do if Crown Fell Off the tooth? The duration of the use of dentures depends on the material used and the installation method chosen by the attending physician. So, ordinary light fillings can last a couple of years without restoration, and manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty for some types of implants that replace the root. Compliance with general requirements also plays an important role, especially in the first period after the restoration procedure – excessive loads on a newly installed microprosthesis can turn into extremely unpleasant consequences. What to do if a crown fell off a tooth, why did it fall out, and is it possible to put the fallen overlay back for reasons of the economy? Now, let’s figure everything out.
General view
In dental practice, there are a variety of cases and situations due to which it is necessary to repeat prosthetics and restore the aesthetics and functionality of the dentition. Any problem of this kind has certain prerequisites. Among the most common, the following list is usually distinguished:
- Poor quality of the adhesive composition selected for fixing the micro prosthesis.
- Violation of the standard protocol for the installation of temporary and permanent crowns.
- Non-observance of the technique regulating the procedure for the manufacture of overlays.
- The development of inflammatory processes caused by infection or injury.
- The discrepancy between the material used and the structural features of the jaw row.
- Insufficient preliminary preparation for the restoration procedure.
- Development of an operational resource, as well as excessively intense loads.
- It should be noted that the dental cement used for planting replacement products on a pre-prepared base, which is the remaining part of the tooth, by default is able to maintain functionality for several decades.
Compliance with the general rules of installation, suppression of the patient’s attempts to test the strength of the prosthesis, as well as the implementation of medical recommendations are factors that help prolong the life of the product and exclude the possibility of premature loss of the artificial unit. To refuse medical intervention due to doubts or fears means deliberately harming one’s own health, increasing the risk of the spread of pathological processes and the formation of extensive dementia.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these factors that determine why a crown falls out.
Expiration of the operating period
Each material and product used in dentistry is characterized by the presence of such an evaluation criterion as an operational resource. The least durable are photopolymer composites, which are used both for the formation of onlays and for fillings, as well as prosthetic structures made of plastic and ceramics. The lack of strength, combined with the increased loads that fall on the jaw region on a daily basis, leads to the destruction of such micro prostheses within 6-8 years from the date of installation.
More reliable, but at the same time expensive, are models made of zirconium dioxide and lithium disilicate. Metal counterparts are also not inferior to them in this indicator and are cheaper, but they do not look too aesthetically pleasing. A similar problem is associated with today’s popular ceramic metal, in some cases, “translucent” in the area of adherence of the gum tissue.
Mistakes made at the preparatory stage
Before proceeding with prosthetics, the doctor must make sure that the pathological foci that caused damage to the tooth structure have been eliminated. Otherwise, there is a possibility of re-development of caries – and then the answer to the question of whether the crown can fall out becomes rhetorical. An equally important factor is the preparation of the stump, which acts as a support for the artificial unit. The small dimensions of the base, as well as the conical shape, often cause a violation of the integrity of the row.
Failure to follow the installation protocol
During the first set of the replacement structure, a temporary cementing composition is used. This is a kind of demo version, during which deviations and defects made during modeling are revealed. If there are no problems with the installed element, you can replace the intermediate cement with a full-fledged one, but if the crown has fallen out, you should re-check the conformity of the dimensions and shape. For large prostheses, weak fixation usually becomes the main difficulty, while too small sizes lead to the formation of cracks in the structure of the neck or root of the tooth. As a result, the element is highly likely to fall out at the next intake of solid food.
Violation of medical prescriptions
Another factor, which, unfortunately, occurs quite often. Restoration of the dentition is a complex procedure, the success of which depends on the patient’s compliance with the recommendations for hygienic care of the oral cavity. In addition, in the first stages after the restoration, it is recommended to make changes in the usual diet, abandoning foods and dishes with a hard or viscous texture. However, not everyone is ready for such sacrifices, continuing to gnaw on candies and seeds, abusing chewing gum, or even trying to open bottles with “new teeth”. How to understand that the crown will fall out soon? It is enough to ignore medical prescriptions.
When can the prosthesis be replaced?
In some cases, the overlays are reinstalled, however, for this, the accompanying circumstances must coincide. Factors that determine recyclability include:
- The condition of the stump is characterized by the absence of damage and carious cavities.
- Preservation of the structure of the replacement element.
If both conditions are met, the dentist treats the base with an antiseptic and removes excess adhesive from the surface, and then re-fixes the product with cement. At the same time, it is worth noting that it is better not to delay visiting the clinic, since the prepared base is fragile and cannot cope with the full load. In case of damage, you will either have to re-prosthetics “from scratch”, or remove the remnants of the root part and plan implantation.
When you can not return a fallen prosthesis
In most situations, a return is not possible – primarily due to a violation of the tightness between the lining and the stump. Inside the resulting cavity, the remnants of food consumed will accumulate, which ultimately provokes the development of pathological and inflammatory processes. As a result, the deterioration of the soft tissues and the gradual destruction of the dentoalveolar apparatus.
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The factors that make it impossible to re-install include the following circumstances:
- The crown fell out along with the stump tab of the tooth or with a pin – the reviews of experts characterize such a condition as requiring treatment, without attempts to restore using the original prosthesis.
- Indications have been diagnosed that necessitate canal filling due to the presence of hidden pathologies or a violation of the structure of the root part.
- The overlay fell out along with the “native” root.
Each of these situations requires more detailed consideration.
Prolapse with stump or rod
The cause of such a serious anomaly is usually:
- A poor-quality preliminary examination, during which the doctor did not diagnose the thinning and fragility of the walls of the base.
- Violation of the preparatory process preceding the procedure for restoring the integrity of the dentition.
- Loss of cementing composition adhesive functions caused by the wrong choice of material, or high humidity of the fixation area.
- Uneven distribution of the mechanical load that occurs in the process of eating on a daily basis.
It is worth noting that in modern dentistry, tabs are preferred over pins. Despite their structural similarity, models of the second type differ in configuration, which often provokes deformation of the root part of the tooth, as well as necrotic changes in the structure of adjacent tissues.
If this situation occurs, it is recommended to visit your doctor on the same day. The formation of an open area in the jaw row leads to the accumulation and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, gradually affecting the periodontium. If the problem is ignored for a long time, the development of serious diseases is possible, the elimination of the consequences of which will require a large time and financial costs.
The need for re-treatment of canals
A progressive inflammatory process localized in the root tubules is often the cause of the loss of a previously installed overlay. The stump becomes excessively mobile, loses its tightness to the inner walls, and, as a result, loosens the initially fixed prosthesis.
It is not difficult to diagnose inflammation in a clinical setting – it is enough to use an X-ray machine that clearly demonstrates both the location of the focus and the extent of the pathological condition. The problem can be stopped by cleaning the roots, after which repeated prosthetics are prescribed.
In some cases, the results of the examination may also reveal the unsatisfactory condition of the tissues, to strengthen which the tab is used. If the images show partial or complete destruction of the root structure, the only option is to extract the unit and then replace it with an implant.
Loss with a “native” root
Situations characterized by the loss of the crown along with the remains of the tooth, without separation of the artificial and natural parts, indicate the presence of serious pathologies. Possible options include the formation of a cyst or granuloma inside the alveolar ridge, as well as periodontal disease.
Such a diagnosis is no longer a reason for local recovery, but for complex treatment, excluding further damage to the department. The doctor prescribes x-rays and examines the images for the preservation of particles of the destroyed root in the soft tissues, for the extraction of which surgical intervention is performed.
It is proposed to close the gap in dentition using one of the standard dental protocols – by implantation, or by installing a bridge. One way or another, the elimination of the defect must be prompt, since prolonged dementia not only causes physical and psychological inconvenience but also provokes malocclusion, as well as bone tissue atrophy.
General recommendations: what to do if a crown falls out
Faced with the situation under consideration, you should adhere to the following sequence of actions:
- Carefully remove the patch from the oral cavity, eliminating the possibility of swallowing.
- Treat the problem area and adjacent segments with an antiseptic – as the simplest option, a minimum concentration of hydrogen peroxide solution or chlorhexidine is recommended.
- Inspect the replacement product for damage and rinse it with an antiseptic, then store it in a sealed case. A crown that has fallen out should be taken with you when you visit the dental clinic so that the doctor can evaluate the possibility of re-installation.
- If pain occurs, take an analgesic.
- Sign up for a consultation as soon as possible.
For those who are acutely experiencing a problem that has arisen, a sedative is also allowed. Emotions will not help to return the overlay to its original place, and modern prosthetic technologies can eliminate the consequences of any abnormal manifestations.
Prevention
If we talk about preventive measures, then standard recommendations will include:
- Treatment only in proven dental clinics. Turning to the specialists of the Dentika centers, you can be sure of the experience and qualifications of doctors, the quality of the materials used, as well as the relevance of the methods used.
- Compliance with medical prescriptions. Each procedure, including the installation of dentures, is accompanied by the familiarization of the patient with a list of rules that help consolidate the desired result.
- Careful attitude to artificial crowns. The strength of the materials used does not mean that they can be used to open bottles, gnaw on seeds or pencils, and so on.
- Proper maintenance of oral hygiene. A daily double brushing of the teeth is enough, as well as a periodic visit (at least once every six months) to the clinic for a scheduled examination.
Anxiety symptoms
An urgent appointment with an orthopedist is recommended if you have the following symptoms:
- The formation of a gap between the overlay and the base in the cervical region indicates a gradual displacement and loosening of the structure.
- Discomfort that accompanies the closure of the jaws, and that occurs in the area with the prosthesis.
- Painful sensations, the appearance of an enduring smell of decay.
- Swelling and redness of the adjacent gums, the formation of bleeding.
A timely visit to the doctor will help to avoid negative consequences and solve the problem before it actually manifests itself.
FAQ
Finally, it is worth mentioning once again the most relevant situations that can at least confuse even those who are familiar with the specifics of dental prosthetics.
Broken intermediate crown
For products installed for a short time, low strength is characteristic. Reuse in this case is excluded – you should consult a doctor and put in a replacement.
When the lining fell out, the tooth turned out to be intact
There is a possibility of incorrect preliminary preparation, erroneous sizing, or the use of low-quality materials.
The prosthesis keeps falling out after insertion
Fix the product only in a clinical setting, using safe dental cement.
The crown was dismantled along with the root
Due to the lack of a restoration object, one should turn to implantation services.
Lost stump tab
Additional diagnostics are required to identify pathological processes in the internal structure of the dental tissue.
Problems with the unit mounted on the implant
The reason may be a poor-quality abutment, an error in the preparatory calculations, or an excessive load immediately after prosthetics.
Summing up
So, now you know what to do if a permanent or temporary crown falls off a tooth and falls out. The only logical answer is to see a qualified dentist as soon as possible. Self-restoration attempts threaten to aggravate the situation, so it is better to refrain from unnecessary risk.