Temporary Crown Fell Off? What to Do Next in Two Rocks

If your temporary crown fell off, try not to panic. It happens more often than you'd think, and in most cases it's a simple fix rather than a dental emergency. At Two Rocks Dental Care, we see this a fair bit, and we'd rather talk you through what to do right now than have you guess.

This guide covers what a temporary crown actually does, why it comes loose, what to do in the first few minutes, what never to use to stick it back on, and when you need to call us straight away.

What does a temporary crown actually do?

A temporary crown is a plastic or acrylic cap placed over a tooth that's been prepared for a permanent crown. It sits there while your actual crown is being made, which usually takes a week or two.

Its job is simple. It protects the tooth underneath, keeps your bite comfortable, and stops the gum and nearby teeth from shifting while you wait. It's not meant to be as strong as a permanent crown, so a bit of give is normal.

Why did my temporary crown fall off?

There are a few common reasons a temporary crown comes loose, and most of them are nothing to worry about.

• The cement used for temporary crowns is deliberately weaker than permanent cement, so it can be removed easily later.
• Sticky or chewy foods, like toffee or chewing gum, can pull a temporary crown off.
• Grinding or clenching your teeth puts extra pressure on it.
• There may simply be less tooth structure left to hold onto, especially after a root canal.

If your temporary crown fell off after root canal treatment, this is actually quite common. Root canal teeth can have less remaining structure for the crown to grip onto, which makes the temporary a little more prone to coming loose. It doesn't mean anything has gone wrong with your root canal.

Temporary crown fell off, what to do right now

Here's what we'd suggest doing straight away.

• Find the crown and keep it. Don't throw it out, even if it looks a bit odd without a tooth inside it. We can often reuse it.
• Rinse the crown gently with warm water. No scrubbing and no picking at it with anything sharp.
• Rinse your mouth too, especially if there are any small pieces or old cement left behind.
• Chew on the other side of your mouth until the crown is back on. The tooth underneath is more sensitive than it looks.
• Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, or very hot or cold foods and drinks until it's sorted.
• Call us to arrange a time to have it re-cemented.

If there's a sharp or rough edge on the exposed tooth that's rubbing against your cheek or tongue, a small bit of over-the-counter dental wax from the pharmacy can help in the meantime. Follow the directions on the pack.

What not to use to glue it back on

This is the part we really want you to take on board. Please don't reach for superglue, nail glue, or any other household adhesive. These products aren't made for use in the mouth, they can be difficult and sometimes risky to remove, and they can do more harm than good to the tooth underneath.

If you genuinely can't get in to see us straight away, a pharmacist can point you to an over-the-counter temporary dental cement or denture adhesive made for this exact situation. But this is only ever a short-term stopgap. The real fix is having one of our team clean the tooth and the inside of the crown properly, then re-cement it so it sits and fits the way it should.

Temporary crown fell off on the weekend?

If your temporary crown fell off on a weekend or outside business hours, keep the crown somewhere safe, avoid chewing on that side, and get in touch as soon as you can to arrange an appointment. A missing temporary crown for a day or two is not usually something to worry about.

That said, don't leave it too long. The longer the tooth is uncovered, the more chance there is of the tooth shifting slightly, the gum changing shape around it, or the exposed tooth picking up sensitivity. Any of these can make it harder to fit your permanent crown properly when it's ready.

When it's more than just a loose crown

Most of the time, a temporary crown falling off is a straightforward thing to sort out. But there are a few signs that mean you should get checked sooner rather than later.

Get in touch promptly if you notice ongoing sensitivity to hot or cold, a crown that feels broken or cracked rather than simply loose, or an odd smell or taste. And if you ever develop spreading facial swelling, a fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding that won't stop, treat that as a medical emergency and go straight to a hospital emergency department.

How we re-cement a temporary crown

Bring the crown with you, even if it's chipped. We'll take a look at the tooth and the crown, clean both properly, and check that everything still fits the way it should before putting it back on. If the crown is too damaged to reuse, we can talk you through the options, including whether a new temporary is needed while your permanent crown is finished.

Our team explains what we're seeing and what the choices are, including the pros and cons, so you understand what's happening and can ask questions along the way. This is part of our general dentistry care, and it's exactly the same careful approach we use for our crowns and bridges work from start to finish.

Being local to Two Rocks means you don't need to drive all the way down to Joondalup just to have a crown looked at. We're right here for Two Rocks, Yanchep, and the rest of Perth's northern coast, including Lancelin, Ledge Point, Guilderton, and surrounding areas.

What about the cost?

Costs vary depending on what's found when we look at the tooth, whether the original crown can be reused, and whether any extra work is needed. We'll always give you a written quote with item numbers before going ahead, so you can check it against your health fund if you have one.

Two Rocks Dental Care is a preferred provider for HBF, HCF and nib, with HICAPS claiming on the spot. Being a preferred provider usually means a smaller gap for you to pay, though it's never free, so it's worth checking your policy for your specific cover.

Frequently asked questions

Is a temporary crown falling off a dental emergency?

Not usually. It's uncomfortable and a bit alarming, but it's rarely urgent unless you have severe pain, swelling, or the tooth itself is broken. Still, it's best to get it looked at within a day or two rather than leaving it.

Can I put the temporary crown back on myself?

You can gently place it back over the tooth without any glue, just to protect it, but we wouldn't recommend trying to cement it yourself with household products. The safest option is to keep it in place loosely if it sits well, or store it carefully and call us.

Why does my tooth not hurt even though the crown fell off after a root canal?

If the tooth has had root canal treatment, the nerve has been removed, so you may not feel much, or any, pain even though the tooth is exposed. That doesn't mean it's fine to leave. The tooth can still pick up damage or infection without giving you a pain signal, so it's still worth having it checked.

Will my permanent crown still fit if the temporary one fell off?

In most cases, yes, especially if you get it sorted quickly. The main risk is if the tooth or gum shifts while it's uncovered for an extended period, which is why we'd rather see you sooner than later.

How do I stop my temporary crown from falling off again?

Avoid sticky, chewy, and very hard foods on that side, and try to chew mainly on the other side of your mouth while you're waiting for your permanent crown. Gentle brushing and flossing around the area, without pulling upward on the crown, also helps.

If your temporary crown fell off, the simplest thing to do is get in touch with us. If you're a new patient, you can read more about what to expect on our new patients page, or if you'd rather sort a time straight away, you can choose a time online. Give Two Rocks Dental Care a call on (08) 9502 9040 or book an appointment online and we'll get your crown back where it belongs.