Whether it’s a baby tooth that just had a rough start or a permanent tooth that wasn’t properly cared for, a dental crown is a second chance for decayed or injured teeth. Without this porcelain prosthetic, your child’s tooth would have to be removed entirely when most of it is still salvageable. But what happens if their dental crown comes out? What steps should you follow? Read on to find out!
Don’t Panic!
A crown that comes off doesn’t necessarily mean your child’s smile is ruined forever! This scenario happens with both adults and kids, and it’s usually simple to resolve. If you worry or get upset, so will your child, and no one needs stress and anxiety like that!
Find the Dental Crown
Next, you need to locate the prosthetic. Once you find the crown, wash your hands and please pick it up carefully. If your child has accidentally swallowed the porcelain, don’t be too concerned; it should work its way through their system safely, and the crown can be replaced.
Call Your Pediatric Dentist Right Away
It’s important to take care of your child’s lost crown quickly. Without this protection, the tooth underneath is vulnerable to bacteria and infection. Call the pediatric dentist for an appointment as soon as possible to ensure that the tooth avoids getting decay.
Gently Rinse the Crown Off
Chances are, when your child’s crown hits the floor or counter, it came into contact with bacteria. When you have the crown in hand, turn on the tap to a medium heat and run the water over the restoration to rinse away these bacteria, particularly from the interior.
Put the Crown Back over the Tooth
While you wait for the next available appointment, you can guard the tooth against oral bacteria by covering it again with the crown, assuming it isn’t too badly damaged. To keep it in place, do not use superglue or any other adhesives that aren’t meant for the oral cavity. You can simply put a small dab of toothpaste in the middle of the crown and position it back on the tooth. This temporary solution can allow them to carry on with the day until the pediatric dentist can see your child.
Bring the Crown with You to the Office
Note that the pediatric dentist may not always be able to save or reuse the original crown. If it, however, is relatively new and undamaged, your child may simply need to have the prosthetic tooth recemented. Also, perhaps the crown can indicate what went wrong and what you might do to prevent it from happening again.
Whether their crown comes out while your child munches on a crisp apple, falls at the playground, or plays sports, if you stick to these steps, you can get your child’s smile back to full health and confidence again!
About the Practice
Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry is located in Denver, CO, and is led by two board-certified pediatric dentists: Dr. Patrick Bowman and Dr. Kathleen Waguespack. As specialists in childhood dentistry, they can address provide several kid-focused services, including emergency care, dental crowns, pulpotomy, regular dental cleanings and checkups, and more! Call 720-647-6310 or contact us online today to make your appointment.