A temporary crown is a short-term dental restoration that covers a tooth until the final crown is fabricated. After root canal treatment, your dentist may recommend a dental crown to restore the shape and function of the tooth. It usually takes two weeks to get a permanent crown. Therefore, your dentist will make a temporary crown to protect the tooth until the permanent crown is ready. In this blog post, we will discuss why your temporary crown fell off after the root canal treatment and what to do.
Why Did My Temporary Crown Fall Off?
Temporary crowns are cemented to the tooth with temporary dental cement so they can be easily removed when the permanent crown is ready. Temporary cement isn’t as strong and durable as permanent cement. It also can dissolve over time. Here are some of the reasons why your root canal temporary crown fell off:
- Not cemented properly: your temporary crown may not have been cemented properly to the tooth.
- Excessive biting pressure: teeth grinding and clenching may cause the temporary cement to break, causing your root canal temporary crown to fall or break. Read more about what to do when your temporary crown broke off.
- Poor oral habits: such as biting or chewing pen, ice cubes, or nail biting.
- Trauma: a sports injury may dislodge the temporary crown.
- Improper fitting: a temporary crown that doesn’t fit properly may not stay in place.
- Long-term use: temporary crowns and cement are for short-term use, so don’t delay your dentist appointment.
What to Do If Your Temporary Crown Fell Off After Root Canal?
If your temporary crown fell off, call your dentist to schedule an appointment to have it re-cemented or replaced if it is damaged. If you can’t see your dentist in the next few days, you can re-cement it at home.
Clean the temporary crown with toothpaste. Then, re-cement the crown with over-the-counter temporary dental cement. Press it down for 30 seconds or until the temporary crown is firmly in place. Lastly, floss around the crown to remove excess cement. Try to be careful when eating until you see your dentist.
What Not to Do If Your Temporary Crown Fell Off After Root Canal?
The tooth becomes weaker after the root canal, and if your temporary crown fell off, the tooth may be more susceptible to damage. So, you should:
- Avoid eating hard foods such as candy and popcorn kernels.
- Avoid biting on hard objects such as ice cubes, pens, and nails.
- Don’t leave your tooth without a crown, and visit your dentist as soon as possible.
- Avoid the accumulation of food debris and plaque around the tooth by brushing your teeth regularly.
Read more about prefabricated stainless steel crowns.
What Would Happen If I Didn’t Recement It?
If your temporary crown fell off a root canal treated tooth, this may cause:
- Tooth damage: a tooth with root canal treatment is weaker than a healthy tooth, so biting or chewing on it makes it more prone to fracture.
- Tooth shifting: the tooth may move to a different position, causing the permanent crown to not fit well.
- Gum disease and tooth decay: the food debris may start to accumulate around the prepared tooth, causing tooth decay and gum disease.
Temporary Crown Fell Off After Root Canal – Conclusion
If your temporary crown falls off after root canal treatment, call your dentist and schedule an appointment to get it re-cemented or replaced if it is damaged. If you can’t see your dentist soon, you can re-cement the temporary crown at home with temporary dental cement. Floss around the temporary crown to remove excess temporary cement. Avoid eating hard foods, biting on hard objects, and don’t delay your appointment with the dentist.
