Top Reasons Why Dental Crowns Fall Off

Dental crowns can sometimes fall off after being in your mouth for several years.  There are many reasons why this may happen, including the following.

The Tooth Developed Decay

Although crowns cannot develop decay, the tooth below the crown can.  The most commonplace for the decay to develop is near the gum line, where the tooth and the crown meet.  Depending on the extent of the decay the dentist may or may not be able to salvage the crown.  The decay will need to be removed from the tooth, and a filling will need to be placed.  If possible, the crown can be placed back on the tooth.  Alternatively, a new crown may need to be made.

When a dental crown falls off due to developed decay, the issue needs to be addressed as quickly as possible to prevent any further damage from happening. A dentist will likely take x-rays and assess the tooth’s condition before recommending treatment. Depending on the severity, they might suggest having a new crown placed over the existing decaying tooth or even extraction if it is beyond repair.

You Ate Too Many Sticky Foods

If you’ve recently found that your dental crowns have come loose or fallen off, there’s a chance it could be due to eating too many sticky foods. Sticky foods, such as taffy, caramel, and gummy candies, can pull on your dental crowns over time and lead to them coming loose. When this happens, it can be very uncomfortable and potentially damaging for your oral health if not addressed quickly.

If dental crowns become loose or fall out, you must visit your dentist immediately. Your dentist will need to assess the damage done by the sticky food so they can properly diagnose the problem and offer treatment options. Additional restorative dentistry services may need to be prescribed to repair any damage caused by the sticky food pulling at the crowns.

The Cement Holding The Crown On Has Lost Its Strength

Crowns are made of very strong materials to withstand years of biting and eating pressures.  Even though they are extremely strong, the cement below the crown can weaken over time, causing it to fall off.  The crown can usually be quickly cemented back in.

As the cement used to hold the crown on weakens over time, so does its ability to stay attached. If you’ve ever experienced your dental crown slipping out of place or coming off entirely, then you know how concerning this can be. This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and lead to other oral health issues if not addressed quickly. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to prevent it from happening again in the future.

There Aren’t many teeth Left Below The Crown

Sometimes the tooth below the crown is very worn down and doesn’t leave much of the tooth left for the crown to grip onto.  The crown may tend to fall off if there isn’t much tooth structure left.  This is most common in back teeth.

You Don’t Take Care Of Your Crown

Dental crowns can become loose if you put a large amount of stress on them.  Habits like grinding and using your crowns to open bottles or packets can weaken the cement and cause the crown to come off.  Wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth and avoiding using your teeth as tools can extend the lifespan of your crown.

Conclusion

Teeth that have been crowned need to be taken care of just like your natural teeth.  Daily brushing and flossing can keep the teeth and gums around the crown healthy and make the crown last longer.  Regular check-ups with your dentist can help identify any problems with the crown or the tooth below.  Avoiding sticky foods and grinding your teeth can help your crown last for many years.  However, if your crown does fall off, don’t throw it out!  Take it to your dentist to have it cemented back on.