Crown Recement: Expert Steps for a Loose Dental Crown Repair

If your dental crown becomes loose or falls off, contact your dentist promptly. Crown recement is a standard, effective procedure that restores your crown’s function, provided the underlying tooth structure remains healthy and the crown itself is intact. More professionals across the world trust Colgate. Find resources, products, and information to give your patients a healthier future.

Why Do Dental Crowns Come Loose?

According to research in the Journal of International Oral Health, several factors can compromise the bond between the restoration and your tooth:

• Short clinical preparations: If a prepared tooth is too short, there may not be enough surface area or retention form to keep the crown in place.
• Poor tooth foundations: Badly broken or decayed teeth may lack the structural integrity required to support the restoration.
• Angle of the restoration: An unfavorable path of insertion or preparation angle can lead to a lack of mechanical security.
• Bruxism: This habit of grinding teeth, often done unconsciously, places significant lateral stress on the crown that can break the cement seal.
• Chewing certain food: The National Institutes of Health warns that sticky foods like gummy bears or bagels can pull a crown off, especially if the cement bond has already begun to weaken.
• Few teeth remaining: Having fewer teeth increases the occlusal force on remaining restored teeth, leading to higher stress and potential debonding.
• Recurrent decay: Poor oral hygiene can lead to cavities beneath the crown, which is a leading cause of failure.

The Professional Recementation Process

The process of recementing a crown is similar to the initial placement you experienced during your original crown appointment. Your dentist will follow these steps:

• Crown trial fit: The dentist ensures the crown is intact, checks that margins are sealed, verifies contact with adjacent teeth, and confirms the bite is accurate.
• Cementation: The dentist cleans and disinfects the crown and tooth, desensitizes the area if needed, isolates the tooth from moisture contamination, and applies the appropriate dental cement under pressure.
• Post-cementation assessment: The dentist removes excess cement and performs a final check to ensure the bite is aligned correctly and that no high spots remain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any crown be recemented?

Not always. If the crown is fractured, or if there is significant decay or structural damage to the underlying tooth, a new crown may be necessary to ensure long-term stability, and you may want to discuss how much crown teeth replacements cost with your dentist.

Is the recementation procedure painful?

The process is generally non-invasive and typically does not require anesthesia, as the tooth has already been prepared and the crown is simply being re-bonded.

What should I do if my crown falls out?

Contact your dentist immediately. Do not attempt to use household adhesives or superglue, as these are toxic, can cause permanent damage to your tooth, and may make it impossible for your dentist to properly seat the crown later.

How long does a recemented crown last?

With proper care, meticulous plaque removal, and regular dental checkups, a recemented crown can remain secure for many years, provided the underlying tooth remains free of new decay, much like the maintenance required for dental bridge care.