The crown on my left front tooth will not stay on. I had a root canal on the tooth in 2007, and my dentist then put a porcelain fused-to-metal crown over it. The crown began to discolor, so my new dentist replaced it last year, but it won’t stay on. I’m afraid that I will lose the tooth between exposing the tooth and working on it over and over again. Would it help if I tried another dentist to get the crown to stay, or could something else be wrong? All these dental appointments are making me anxious and giving me hives. It’s embarrassing. Thanks. Bryanna
Bryanna,
Why Does a Dental Crown Repeatedly Fall Off?
If a dental crown repeatedly falls off, the issue may be related to the preparation of your tooth for the crown. Removing too much of your tooth structure makes getting a secure bond between the crown and tooth challenging. The bonding or cement that a dentist uses is rarely the problem.
If your dentist overprepared your tooth for the crown, you may need a new one.
How Can You Prevent a Dental Crown from Falling Off?
You can prevent a dental crown from falling off by finding an experienced cosmetic dentist to reinforce the tooth and create a crown that fits.
Some cosmetic dentists use these steps:
- Sanitize the tooth
- Place a flexible fiberglass post into the tooth’s canal
- Use dental cement to stabilize the post
- Bond dental composite to the tooth and post
- Shape the composite to allow a secure bond with the crown
- Attach and cement the crown
The above technique can work if the front tooth is not broken off at the gumline. Instead, a dentist may recommend an extraction and dental implant.
Consult with a Cosmetic Dentist
Schedule consultations with at least two advanced cosmetic dentists to examine your tooth and explain your treatment options. Speak with the dentists about an appropriate level of sedation for your anxiety.
Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.