Everything You Need to Know About Problems with Dental Crowns and Implant Crowns

What to Do If a Crown on a Tooth or Implant Becomes Loose

If your crown feels loose, it is essential to book a consultation with your dentist as soon as possible. There can be several reasons for the instability, and early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent further complications.

Why Might a Dental Crown Become Loose?

The Crown Has Detached from the Tooth

This situation often occurs with crowns that were recently fitted. Possible reasons include:

• Excessive load on the crown.
  If the bite forces are too great, the dental cement may fail and the crown may loosen.

• Inadequate preparation of the tooth.
  Poor preparation or failure to follow correct bonding protocols during crown placement can also cause detachment.

The Crown Has Partially Dislodged but Remains in Place

Sometimes, neighbouring teeth help hold a partially dislodged crown in position. However, delaying treatment can lead to the formation of a gap between the crown and the tooth, allowing bacteria to enter.

This can cause decay, and ultimately, the tooth may be lost — requiring implant placement.

The Tooth Underneath the Crown Is Loose

If the tooth and crown move together, the issue likely lies in the root of the tooth, possibly a fracture.
Unfortunately, such teeth are generally beyond restoration and will need extraction, followed by a decision between implant placement or a dental bridge.

What to Do If a Temporary Crown Falls Out

If a temporary plastic crown falls out or breaks during the preparation phase (for prostheses or implants), you should contact your dentist immediately to have it replaced.

Why urgent replacement is important:

-  To protect the tooth. A tooth left uncovered becomes vulnerable to decay and infection, leading to more extensive treatment and additional costs.

-  To prevent tooth movement. Without the temporary crown maintaining the space, the prepared tooth may shift or erupt. This can complicate the final crown placement, requiring additional reshaping — which could inadvertently expose the nerve and necessitate root canal treatment.

If a temporary crown on an implant becomes loose, it must also be replaced or re-cemented promptly.

What to Do If You Accidentally Swallow a Dental Crown

Many patients wonder what steps to take if they accidentally swallow a crown.

There is no need to panic or seek emergency treatment; there is also no need to consult a proctologist.
Dental crowns made of zirconia or metal-ceramics are generally small and pose no significant risk to the body.

However, it is vital to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to arrange the replacement of the missing crown.

Correcting Deep Bite with Crowns

A misaligned bite (deep bite) can cause numerous aesthetic, physiological, and psychological problems:

• Lowered jaw position
• Disrupted facial proportions
• Back pain (yes, there is a close relationship between dental occlusion and spinal health)
• An unattractive smile, often leading to self-consciousness and lower self-esteem

Ideally, issues related to the positioning of teeth should be addressed by an orthodontist. However, if you are unable or unwilling to undergo orthodontic treatment (such as fixed braces), another option is to correct the bite with crowns designed to raise the occlusion.

Although this method also requires a significant treatment period, it is usually quicker than full orthodontic therapy.

If you wish to learn more about this approach, we invite you to book a consultation at Smile Office Dental Clinic, where you will receive professional service and expert care.