Your dentist can treat damaged or vulnerable teeth by covering them with a dental crown. This ceramic cap shields the tooth from exterior threats and preserves its health, restoring oral function and appearance.
Though these fixtures are designed to withstand wear and tear like the rest of your teeth, accidents may occur where they become loose or break. This issue will require prompt intervention from your dentist. Dr. Lynn Morgan, a dentist located in Severna Park, MD, outlines actions you should take if you sustain damage to your dental crown.
Steps to Take If Your Dental Crown Breaks
Call Your Dentist As Soon As Possible
When your dentist places a dental crown over a tooth, they must remove a small amount of enamel from the tooth to make room for the cap. If the crown no longer shields the tooth, then the underlying dentin may be exposed.
This can leave the tooth vulnerable to further damage, and the patient might experience tooth sensitivity pain. Pain of any kind is considered a dental emergency, so you should reach out to your dentist as soon as you can to schedule an appointment and to ask for guidelines to follow in the meantime before your office visit.
Visit Your Dentist for Emergency Treatment
If the crown has detached, you should bring it with you if possible when you visit your dentist for an emergency dental appointment. When you arrive at the office, your dental professional with evaluate the affected tooth and the surrounding teeth for signs of additional damage and provide treatment as needed.
They will also examine the crown fixture to determine if it is in good enough shape to replace over the tooth. If it is still structurally sound, your dentist can secure it over the tooth again. The dentist can provide you with a temporary crown if your crown is too damaged to reuse and a new permanent crown must be constructed.
Prevent Future Damage to Your Crown
Once your dental crown is restored, you will want to take precautionary measures so that no harm comes to your dental work again. Crowns are durable, but they can break or dislodge if exposed to abnormally high levels of pressure.
For this reason, you should avoid biting down on hard items, including the end of a pen, fingernails, or ice. You should also talk to your dentist if you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth as this behavior could impact your dental work.
Dental Crown Repair Available in Severna Park, MD
Dr. Morgan provides dental crowns and other restorative dental treatments to patients in Severna Park, MD. Our practice also specializes in cosmetic and general dentistry, including both preventative and emergency dental services, for patients of all ages. To schedule a consultation or appointment with our team, contact our staff by phone at 410.415.9015 or reach our office online.