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Lost crown - broken

Summary

Often when dental crown comes out it can be refixed with cement or screwed back in (screw retained crowns on implants). However there are a number of reasons why this might not be the case:

  • Fractured crown
  • The supporting tooth has fractured
  • Infection or decay in the supporting tooth
  • Post fracture
  • Fractured root

Please note all the information on this page can also refer to onlays or inlays.

Your dentist will advise whether further treatment of the underlying tooth is necessary before a new crown can be made or whether the tooth needs to be extracted.

Home care advice

Keep the crown safe, in case it can be reused and keep the supporting tooth as clean as you can and avoid eating on it.

If the crown was supported by a post then it may be prudent to cover the post hole with a DIY temporary cement - making sure to thoroughly clean the area with a chlorhexidine mouthwash beforehand.

In vital teeth there is often some sensitivity after a crown is lost. If this is the case then try rubbing a sensitive toothpaste on the area or using a fluoride mouth rinse.  If the pain becomes worse then you can try clove oil, topical anaesthetic and follow the measures outlined in our page on irreversible pulpitis

Written by Andrew Bain BDS MJDF (RCS Eng)
May 8, 2020