What to Do If Your Dental Implant Crown Falls Out
If your dental implant crown falls out, take a deep breath and remain calm. Then, check whether the crown and the implant are damaged. If the crown isn't cracked and your dental implant is still stable, put the crown in a container and contact your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will then assess whether the crown needs to be replaced, repaired, or both.
Losing a dental crown may be caused by general wear and tear. Many other causes can lead to a dental implant crown falling out—some of which are similar to things that would damage your natural teeth. The sooner you see your dentist, the higher your chances of saving your crown and preventing more serious complications.
Step One: Remain Calm
Remaining calm after a dental implant crown falls out will help you assess the situation more rationally. Losing a tooth (even a prosthetic one) can be scary, especially when you are not expecting it. Whether your crown, dental implant screw, or the entire dental implant fell out, try not to panic.
Step Two: Locate Your Dental Implant Crown
If the crown has fallen out, try to locate it and put it in a container until you can get an appointment at your dental office. If the crown is still intact and in your mouth but is loose, try to avoid touching or moving it.
Step Three: Contact Your Dentist
Contact your dentist and explain that your dental implant crown has fallen out. Request that you be seen as quickly as possible. A dentist who is skilled in dental implant restoration will determine whether your implant crown should be replaced or repaired.
Step Four: Rinse with Salt Water
A warm salt water rinse can clear out any leftover debris from your implant crown and help to keep the area clean while waiting for your dental appointment. A warm salt water rinse aids in killing bacteria and may reduce discomfort. You should avoid using a mouth rinse with alcohol as this can irritate the affected tissue.
Step Five: Avoid Damaging Foods
If you have a loose dental implant crown or it has fallen out, stay away from sticky or hard foods. Eating hard foods has the potential to dislodge the implant permanently. If your dental crown falls out completely, it's still best to avoid eating foods that could harm the abutment (implant screw) and surrounding gum tissue.
If you can't be seen immediately by your dentist, eat soft foods such as the foods we recommend after dental implant surgery. Soft foods require less chewing and thus reduce strain on the implant, helping prevent further damage to the affected area.
Step Six: Prepare For Your Appointment
Bring your crown to your appointment and any other part of the implant that has fallen out. Explain to your implant dentist when you remember the implant crown falling out. Your dentist may recommend that loose implant crowns be stabilized or re-cemented, whereas an implant, abutment, and/or crown that have fallen out entirely may need to be replaced.
If your implant crown is intact, your dentist may be able to reattach it securely. However, if the implant and crown have fallen out altogether, your dentist may proceed to take impressions and measurements to create a new crown, abutment, and implant post if required. From there, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled to begin the implant restoration or replacement process.
Causes of a Dental Implant Crown Falling Out
There are many reasons dental implant crowns fall out. One of the most common is that the cement that holds the crown to the implant is worn down. Teeth grinding can also fracture the ceramic crown, the screw, or the post of your dental implant, leading to crown failure and even implant failure in some cases. Other causes of dental implant crowns falling out include:
Inaccurate fit or construction
Injury
Eating hard foods
Failed osseointegration (fusion between the implant and jawbone) after dental implant treatment
Dental implant failure
Don’t Try to Reattach the Crown Yourself
You may be tempted to try to reattach the crown yourself. However, reattaching your dental implant crown should only be done by a professional in a dental office.
Risks of trying to reattach the implant crown yourself include:
Damaging the dental implant post and/or abutment
Introducing bacteria to the area from your hands, potentially leading to infection
Reattaching the crown in the wrong position, leading to a misaligned bite and other dental issues later on
See Your Dentist Immediately
Stay calm and see your dentist immediately if your dental implant crown has fallen out. Your dentist will determine the best course of action. If any part of the implant is missing, check your surroundings to find the crown, abutment, and/or implant post.
Store your crown in a secure container to protect it from scratches or damage. If your crown remains in your mouth but is loose, refrain from touching or moving it. A warm salt rinse will help to keep your mouth bacteria-free until you can be seen by your dentist.