Do you know that over 2 million implant-supported dental crown products are produced in the United States every year?
The demand for dental crowns has only increased as the population has advanced in age. More people are living into their 80s and 90s and need a valuable replacement option to allow them to continue to function and smile as they did when they were younger.
If you’re interested in dental crowns for your oral health, look no further. In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about how to incorporate a dental crown into your overall oral care, including what to do when the crown falls off.
What Is a Dental Crown?
In dentistry, dental crowns are generally considered to be what is known as a dental cap. This is a special type of restorative device that totally covers a tooth or implant.
Some patients need crowns whenever there is a large cavity in the middle of the tooth. This will start to worsen the overall health of the tooth and a filling is needed to take over the gap.
Dentists will use crowns that bond to the tooth using a form of specialized dental cement.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
There is pretty wide variability in how long a crown will last. If it’s put on by a professional, you can expect the average crown to last anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
Most crowns are made out of specialized resilient materials like porcelain or composite alloys. This will allow them to stand up to a lot of wear and tear over time. However, sometimes they do fall out.
What Should I Do If My Dental Crown Falls Off?
If you notice that your crown has fallen out, it’s important to contact your dentist right away. This is the most important thing to do, because your dentist will know the severity of the situation you were in when the crown was put in. If you have the crown, you should try to rinse it off as best you can.
Especially if you have a large cavity, you’ll want to protect your tooth until you can get in to see the dentist. There are many ways to do this, but dental wax is a good option that you can get at the drugstore.
Can My Dental Crown Be Fixed?
In some cases, your dentist will be able to simply reattach the crown. However, in certain severe cases, you will need a replacement crown put in. Your dentist will be able to suggest the right option for you.
There is a great guide to dental crown replacements put together by top experts; you can check it out here.
Dental Crown Emergencies
At the end of the day, when your dental crown falls out, you need to get to the dentist as soon as you can. This is to prevent any further damage from occurring to your tooth or the crown. Your dentist should be able to recommend a reattachment or replacement depending on your situation and the status of the crown.
If you enjoyed this article about dental crowns, check out the other articles on our blog!