Lost Filling or Loose Crown? Immediate Steps & Same-Day Care | Bredau Dental
Discover immediate steps to protect your exposed tooth, relieve sensitivity, safely preserve your crown, and get same-day restorative dental care at Bredau Dental in Chicago.
What to Do Immediately When a Crown or Filling Comes Loose
A dislodged crown or lost filling can feel alarming, leaving an exposed tooth vulnerable to painful temperature sensitivity and bacterial contamination. Follow these vital first steps:
- Locate & Safeguard the Crown: If a dental crown came off, retrieve it immediately. Gently rinse it under warm water and place it in a clean zip-top bag or container. Bring it to your appointment — if it is intact and the tooth structure is healthy, Dr. Bredau can often recement it immediately!
- Inspect the Exposed Tooth: Check your mouth in a mirror. Is the tooth simply exposed, or has part of the tooth fractured inside the crown? Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth completely.
- Temporary Sensitivity Shield: Exposed dentin contains microscopic tubules leading directly to the dental nerve. A small dab of over-the-counter dental cement or petroleum jelly can temporarily shield the surface from cold air and liquids.
- CRITICAL WARNING — NO HOUSEHOLD GLUE: NEVER use superglue, Krazy Glue, or household adhesives on a dental crown. These chemicals are toxic to oral tissues, destroy the dental pulp, and make it impossible for a dentist to salvage the tooth or crown.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait: The Hidden Risks of Delay
Even if an exposed tooth isn’t actively hurting, delaying professional care creates substantial problems:
- Teeth Shift Rapidly (Within Days): Teeth are in constant dynamic equilibrium. Without a crown in place, adjacent teeth lean inward and opposing teeth super-erupt into the vacant gap. If teeth move even a fraction of a millimeter, your original crown will no longer fit and will have to be completely remade.
- Accelerated Bacterial Decay: The prepared tooth core lacks protective enamel. Bacterial plaque rapidly penetrates into the softer dentin, causing secondary decay that can reach the pulp and necessitate a root canal.
- Catastrophic Tooth Fracture: Teeth prepared for crowns have thinner supporting walls. Biting down on crusty bread, nuts, or hard food can snap the remaining tooth down to the gumline, resulting in an un-restorable tooth that requires extraction.
Our Same-Day Crown & Restoration Solutions at Bredau Dental
Dr. Laviniu Bredau provides comprehensive restorative care to get your smile protected quickly and comfortably:
- Professional Crown Recementing: In many cases where the crown is intact and the tooth has no new decay, Dr. Bredau thoroughly disinfects the tooth and uses high-strength dental bonding resin to permanently reseat your existing crown.
- Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings: When an old silver or composite filling breaks or falls out, we gently cleanse the area and place a durable, shade-matched resin filling that bonds directly to your natural tooth.
- Custom Porcelain Crowns: If a tooth or old restoration has fractured significantly, we take high-precision digital impressions to craft a durable, custom porcelain or zirconia crown that restores full chewing strength and aesthetics.
Crown Came Off? We Can Often Recement It Same-Day.
Bring your crown in with you! Call Bredau Dental at (773) 853-2380. We serve patients across Chicago, Jefferson Park, and Northwest suburbs with daily emergency slots.
Lost Crowns & Broken Fillings — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I glue my crown back on with superglue?
NEVER use superglue or household adhesive! Superglue contains harsh toxic chemicals that can kill the living dental pulp inside your tooth. It also sets unevenly, preventing your dentist from properly seating the crown later. If necessary, use temporary dental cement from a pharmacy or a dab of toothpaste until you can be seen.
How long can I wait before seeing a dentist for a lost crown?
You should see a dentist within 24 to 48 hours. Within just a few days, your adjacent teeth and opposing teeth will begin shifting into the open space, which can make your original crown unusable.
Can my existing crown be reused, or do I need a brand-new one?
If the crown is in one piece, has no cracks, and your underlying tooth hasn’t fractured or developed significant decay, Dr. Bredau can often sterilize and permanently recement the existing crown during a quick, cost-effective visit.
What happens if I accidentally swallowed my dental crown?
In the vast majority of cases, a swallowed crown passes harmlessly through your digestive tract. However, you will need a new replacement crown made. Call our office at (773) 853-2380 so Dr. Bredau can examine the tooth and protect it with a temporary crown.
Does dental insurance cover crown recementation or replacement?
Yes! Most PPO dental insurance plans cover crown recementation and replacement restorations. We accept Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Guardian, Aetna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, and CareCredit financing.
How do I book an emergency appointment for a lost crown?
Call our Chicago dental office at (773) 853-2380. We reserve dedicated emergency appointment slots every day and will schedule you for immediate relief.