If your dental crown just fell off, you can temporarily reattach it at home using over-the-counter dental cement, which is available at most pharmacies. This is a short-term fix. The goal is to protect the exposed tooth and keep the crown safe until a dentist can permanently bond it back in place, which typically costs $75 to $200.
What to Do Right Away
First, find the crown. If it popped off while you were eating, check your food carefully. Whatever you do, don’t swallow it. A dentist can often clean it up and fit it right back onto your tooth, so losing it means starting from scratch with a new one.
Once you have the crown in hand, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the exposed tooth stub. Give the crown a gentle wash with warm water to remove any debris. Then call your dentist to schedule an appointment. Many offices will fit you in quickly for a loose crown since the procedure is straightforward.
How to Temporarily Reattach It
Pick up a temporary dental cement from your local pharmacy. Products like Dentemp are designed specifically for this. Here’s how to use it:
- Clean the crown. Remove as much old cement as possible from the inside of the crown. Rinse it well.
- Prepare the tooth. Clean the tooth area with water and leave it slightly moist.
- Test the fit. Place the crown back on the tooth before applying any cement to make sure it seats properly.
- Apply the cement. Place a very small amount of material along the inside edge of the open end of the crown.
- Press firmly. Set the crown on the wet tooth and press down. Bite down several times to check the fit. If something feels off, remove it and try again.
- Clean up. Remove any excess material around the edges and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
Wait at least two hours before eating anything. This gives the cement time to set. The hold won’t be as strong as what your dentist uses, so treat it gently.
Never Use Superglue
It might seem like a logical quick fix, but household superglue (cyanoacrylate) is toxic to oral tissue. Lab research on human oral cells shows that polymerized superglue releases cytotoxic substances that kill surrounding cells, creating zones of dead tissue up to 1,000 microns wide. That toxic release continues at a steady level for at least two weeks. Beyond the tissue damage, superglue can also make it harder for your dentist to properly recement the crown later. Stick with dental-specific cement only.
Eating With a Temporary Fix
Until your dentist permanently reattaches the crown, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Avoid anything sticky: caramels, taffy, gummy candy, licorice, and chewing gum can all pull a temporarily cemented crown right off. Hard foods like nuts, ice, raw carrots, and hard candy put too much force on the bond and risk cracking the crown or dislodging it again.
Soft foods on the other side of your mouth are your safest bet. Keep brushing gently around the area and continue rinsing with warm salt water to keep bacteria from building up on the exposed tooth.
What Happens at the Dentist
If the crown and the underlying tooth are both in good shape, your dentist can recement it in a single visit. They’ll clean the inside of the crown, prepare the tooth surface, and use a professional-grade cement that’s far stronger and longer-lasting than anything available over the counter. The whole appointment is usually quick.
Recementation generally costs between $75 and $200. Many dental insurance plans cover 50% to 80% of that cost, though coverage varies by plan and the reason for the repair. Cosmetic-related fixes may not be covered, so it’s worth checking with your provider beforehand.
If decay has developed under the crown or the tooth structure has changed, a simple recementation may not be enough. Your dentist will assess whether the crown still fits or whether a new one is needed.
Why Crowns Come Loose
Understanding why it happened can help you prevent a repeat. The most common causes:
- Cement breakdown. Dental cement endures years of chewing pressure, temperature swings from hot and cold food, and constant exposure to saliva. Eventually, the bond weakens naturally.
- Decay under the crown. The tooth underneath is still vulnerable to bacteria. If decay develops beneath the crown, it destabilizes the foundation and the crown loses its grip.
- Grinding or clenching. Bruxism puts enormous lateral force on crowns, loosening or fracturing them over time. If this is a factor, a nightguard can protect the repair.
- Sticky or hard foods. Regularly chewing ice, hard candy, or sticky foods like caramel stresses the crown-to-tooth bond.
- Microleakage. Tiny gaps between the crown and tooth allow bacteria and food particles to accumulate, gradually weakening the seal.
Don’t Wait Too Long
A temporary reattachment is not a substitute for professional care. The exposed tooth stub, if left unprotected, is vulnerable to decay, sensitivity, and fracture. Neighboring teeth can also begin to shift slightly when a crown is missing for an extended period, which may mean the original crown no longer fits when you finally get to the dentist. Aim to be seen within a few days at most. The sooner you go, the more likely your existing crown can simply be recemented rather than replaced.