What to Do Right Away When a Crown Fell Off
Stay calm. A crown fell off is uncomfortable but rarely requires an emergency room visit right away. Remove the crown from your mouth carefully so you do not swallow it. Whether it is a temporary crown or a permanent crown, the steps are the same.
Rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Then rinse the crown under lukewarm water to remove food or old cement. Do not scrub the inside of the crown aggressively. Place it in a small container where it will not get lost or crushed.
Inspect the Underlying Tooth and Crown
Look at the underlying tooth. If the prepared tooth appears dark, broken, or has a large hole, the crown may not be reusable and you should call your dental office right away. If the tooth stub looks intact and is simply sensitive, a dental crown fell off temporary fix at home can buy you time.
Check the crown itself. If a temporary crown is cracked or a piece has broken off, do not try to re-cement it. A damaged temporary crown needs to be replaced by your dentist. The same applies to a permanent crown that has visible cracks or chips.
How to Clean the Crown Before You Re-Cement It
Use a toothpick or soft toothbrush to gently remove old cement from inside the crown. Rinse it again with lukewarm water. The inside surface should be clean and dry before you apply any temporary cement. Old cement left inside prevents the crown from seating properly on the prepared tooth.
Safe Temporary Fix Options to Re-Cement a Crown
Several over-the-counter products can hold a temporary crown or permanent crown in place for a few days. These are temporary fixes only. They do not replace the professional dental cement your dentist uses to bond a permanent crown.
Over-the-Counter Temporary Cement
Temporary cement is the best option to re-cement a crown at home. Products like Dentemp and Recapit are sold at most pharmacies. Follow the package directions: apply a thin layer of temporary cement inside the crown, press it firmly onto the underlying tooth, and bite down gently for one to two minutes.
This type of temporary cement holds reasonably well but softens over time, especially with hot foods and liquids. Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on that side. A temporary crown re-cemented this way can last one to two weeks.
Denture Adhesive as a Short-Term Hold
If you cannot find temporary cement, a small amount of denture adhesive (such as Fixodent or Poligrip) can work as a short-term alternative. Apply a thin layer inside the temporary crown and press it onto the prepared tooth. Denture adhesive is less stable than temporary cement and may need reapplication every few hours, but it is safe to use.
Do not pack the crown full of adhesive. A thin, even coating provides the best hold. Too much denture adhesive prevents the temporary crown from seating completely on the underlying tooth.
Orthodontic Wax or Sugar-Free Gum
If you have no dental products available, orthodontic wax pressed into the crown can hold it in place very temporarily. Sugar-free gum can also cushion the exposed tooth if the temporary crown will not stay on. These are last-resort options that may buy you a few hours until you can get dental care at a pharmacy or dental office.
If the temporary crown fell off and you cannot reattach it, place orthodontic wax directly over the prepared tooth to protect it from sensitivity and keep the area clean.
What NOT to Use to Re-Cement a Crown
Certain household adhesives are dangerous to use inside the mouth. Even though they create a strong bond, the chemicals harm the underlying tooth, irritate soft tissue, and make it harder for your dentist to properly treat the prepared tooth later.
- Super glue (cyanoacrylate): Bonds too aggressively to the underlying tooth. It damages tooth structure, irritates gum tissue, and makes it very difficult for a dentist to remove the crown later.
- Gorilla Glue or construction adhesive: These expand as they cure and can distort the fit of a temporary crown or push it off the prepared tooth entirely. They are also toxic if swallowed.
- Nail glue: Contains similar chemicals to super glue. It is not formulated for use inside the mouth and can cause chemical burns on soft tissue.
- Chewing gum with sugar: Sugar feeds bacteria on the exposed tooth surface. Eat only soft foods and use sugar-free gum only.
Temporary Crown vs Permanent Crown: Why Each Falls Off
A temporary crown is placed while a dental lab fabricates your permanent crown. Because the temporary crown is attached with weaker temporary cement, it is more likely to come loose. A temporary crown fell off is one of the most common reasons patients call their dental office between appointments.
A permanent crown uses stronger dental cement and is shaped for a precise fit. When a permanent crown falls off, it usually means the cement has broken down over time, there is decay under the crown, or the underlying tooth has fractured. Understanding the difference helps you know what to expect at your next dental visit.
Common Reasons a Temporary Crown Falls Off
Avoid chewing on the side with a temporary crown. Stick to soft foods and avoid anything sticky. If your temporary crown fell off more than once, call your dental office right away.
- Eating sticky foods like caramel or taffy that pull the temporary crown loose
- Chewing hard or crunchy foods on the side with the temporary crown
- The temporary cement weakened from hot liquids or repeated chewing
- The temporary crown was not shaped for a tight fit since it is meant to be removed
Common Reasons a Permanent Crown Falls Off
Over years of chewing and temperature changes, dental cement weakens and washes out. This is the most common reason a permanent crown comes loose, and it usually means the crown can be re-cemented.
Decay under the crown weakens the underlying tooth and dissolves the cement bond. Teeth grinding (bruxism) can also break the cement seal.
Protecting the Exposed Tooth Until Your Appointment
While you wait for your dental appointment, dental care for the exposed prepared tooth is critical. The underlying tooth without a crown is vulnerable to decay, sensitivity, and fracture.
What to Eat and Drink with a Lost Crown
Eat soft foods on the opposite side of your mouth. Good choices include yogurt, scrambled eggs, soup, and mashed potatoes. Avoid chewing anything hard, crunchy, or sticky on the side with the lost crown. Avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks near the exposed tooth.
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water after eating to keep the area clean and reduce bacteria around the prepared tooth. Do not use alcohol-based mouthwash directly on the exposed tooth as it can cause sharp pain.
Keeping the Area Clean
Brush gently around the lost crown site with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse your mouth with warm water after meals. If the temporary crown is re-cemented, brush carefully around its edges. Proper dental care prevents bacteria from reaching the underlying tooth and causing infection or further decay.
When to Call Your Dental Office
Call your dental office within one to two days of losing a crown. Whether it is a temporary crown or a permanent crown, the exposed underlying tooth is vulnerable the longer it goes without a proper restoration.
Schedule a Visit Within a Few Days If
- The crown fell off but the underlying tooth looks intact and is only mildly sensitive
- You have re-cemented the temporary crown with temporary cement and it feels stable
- There is no pain, swelling, or visible damage to the prepared tooth
Seek Emergency Dental Care Right Away If
An emergency dental visit is needed when a lost crown is accompanied by infection or trauma. Most dental crowns fall off without complications, but a dental emergency can develop if the underlying tooth fractures or an abscess forms. Do not wait if you notice swelling or fever. Seek emergency dental care right away.
- The underlying tooth is broken, has a sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek, or causes severe pain
- You see swelling, pus, or signs of infection around the prepared tooth
- Your temporary crown fell off and your permanent crown appointment is more than a week away
- You swallowed the crown (this is usually harmless but your dental office should know)
Can Your Dentist Re-Cement the Old Crown?
In many cases, yes. If the permanent crown is intact and the underlying tooth is healthy, your dentist can clean and re-cement it. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
If the crown is damaged or there is decay under the crown, a new crown will be needed. Bring the old crown to your dental office either way. A temporary crown that fell off before your permanent crown is ready also needs to be brought in.
When to See a Prosthodontist
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist with 3 additional years of training in restoring teeth. Consider seeing one if your dental crowns fall off repeatedly, the underlying tooth needs rebuilding, or you need a front-tooth crown where appearance is critical.
Prosthodontists also handle alternatives like a dental bridge or implant. Proper dental care from a specialist prevents future crown failures. Learn more on our [prosthodontics overview page](/specialties/prosthodontics).
Find a Prosthodontist Near You
Every prosthodontist listed on My Specialty Dentist has verified specialty credentials. Search by location to find a prosthodontist in your area who can re-cement your crown, evaluate the underlying tooth, and recommend a permanent solution.
Search Prosthodontists in Your Area