You’re minding your own business when, suddenly, from the depths of the house, you hear your teen call your name. They’ve lost part of their tooth. Not their entire tooth, and not an organic fragment, but their dental crown! What should you do?
This is a good question. Crowns and natural teeth are very different, after all. Fortunately, a lost dental crown isn’t as serious as a lost tooth. Still, if the crown fell out, the natural part of your kid’s tooth is now exposed. It’ll require a gentle hand and some meticulous care, but there are a few things you can do after calling your emergency pediatric dentist. Keep reading to learn more.
Follow Professional Instruction
It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at what people can forget about during a panic. Your pediatric emergency dentist will likely take care of scheduling an appointment for your teen but might also give you first-aid instruction. Make sure you do what they say before you take any further steps!
Salvage the Dental Crown
If your teen hasn’t swallowed their crown or found it already, help them search for it. A swallowed dental crown can’t be reattached (and likely won’t cause problems for your teen’s stomach), but an otherwise intact one can.
Assuming your search is successful, gently clean the fallen restoration with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Your teen should also gingerly clean their exposed tooth. While they’re doing that, take a close look at their dental crown. Note any signs of damage – you shouldn’t try to reattach a broken restoration, so if you see chips or cracks, skip the next step. Simply store the crown in a safe container.
Reattach – If You’re Confident!
Now, it’s possible to reattach the dental crown at home. However, it’s important that either you or your teen know how the crown should fit on their tooth. Trying to force it into place or affixing it incorrectly could complicate the situation.
To fit the crown over your teen’s exposed tooth, all you need is a careful hand and a little bit of toothpaste. Nothing else – not even glue or first aid adhesives! Anything other than toothpaste or substances specifically designed for fastening dental crowns could compromise the restoration.
Avoid Further Damage
After securing the dental crown, you’ll just have to wait for your teen’s emergency dental appointment. Even if you’ve managed to DIY the crown attachment, your teen should be cautious to avoid further damage. Hard or sticky foods could dislodge the crown again, as could chewing with their broken restoration. If they need a snack or meal, be sure to tell them to eat something soft that can be easily chewed without their crown-capped tooth.
Similarly, don’t skip out on an emergency dental appointment just because you put the crown back into place yourself! Your teen’s false cap is essential for protecting the damaged natural tooth underneath. If the restoration is at all compromised, the vulnerable pearly white could become infected or harmed. Let the pro double-check your work to ensure your teen’s oral health!
About the Practice
Our team at Gale Ranch Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of San Ramon are skilled at treating all types of pediatric patients – including teenagers! Whether your lost dental crown victim is in their single or double digits, we can swoop in with prompt, quality care. If you’re in need of dental emergency assistance or have questions, give our office a call at 925-648-8580.