It lifts when you eat something sticky
Chewy foods can tug a weakly held crown upward. Steer clear of them on that side and avoid pulling on the crown. If it comes out completely, put it in a secure container and bring it to the appointment.
Restorative Dentistry
Crown Recementation in Acton
Your tongue keeps finding it: a crown that clicks or shifts when you bite. If you are calling from Acton, we can talk you through what to do now and check whether the crown can be secured again before it falls out.
Loose, but not out yetCall about a moving crown
A crown that moves when you chew
Not every crown problem begins with the crown in your palm. Often there is a stage first, when it shifts slightly as you bite, catches floss oddly or lets a bad taste seep from around the edge. That stage is a useful warning, and it is the right time to call.
Recementation can reattach a crown that is still in good condition and fits a tooth able to hold it. When a crown starts rocking, though, the dentist wants to know why. Cement may have broken down, but movement can also come from decay under the margin, a core that has cracked or, occasionally, a problem with the tooth root itself.
Please resist the urge to wiggle it free or test it. Chew on the other side, keep the area clean and phone us. Describe how long it has been moving and whether anything else feels different. We may need to remove the crown carefully at the visit to see what is happening underneath.
Early warning signs
Things your tongue may already have noticed
A shifting crown may not hurt at all. Still, let the team know how much it moves, whether there is a taste or smell around it and whether the tooth has become sensitive.
Cold drinks have started to sting
New sensitivity around a moving crown can mean the seal has opened and the tooth is exposed. Describe what brings the twinge on and how long it lasts, so the dentist can check the tooth directly.
It has felt like this before
Repeated loosening needs a careful review of the tooth, the crown and how your teeth come together. Mention when it was last refitted and whether the same foods or habits come before each episode.
There is no need to take a moving crown out yourself. Call the clinic first, and mention pain, swelling or any recent injury when you do.
The value of catching it early
Act while the crown is still in one piece
Checked before it falls out, a crown is less likely to be lost, swallowed or cracked on the way. If it turns out to be intact and the tooth beneath is sound, recementing it may let you keep it and skip a new crown. That conclusion depends on the examination.
Movement caused by decay or a fractured core will not be fixed by fresh cement alone. If the dentist advises something different, ask what they found under the crown. The explanation should relate to the current state of the tooth, not merely to how long the crown has been in.
Keep a crown that is worth keeping
With a good fit and a solid tooth beneath, the crown may continue to protect it. Ask whether any preparation or repair is needed before it is reattached.
Discover what is loosening it
An examination can uncover a cause that would worsen if left. Ask what the dentist believes started the movement and how the plan responds to it.
Clarify what kind of refit it is
Sometimes a crown is resecured as a holding step while other treatment is planned. Make sure you know whether this is the final repair or an interim one.
How a loose crown is handled
From wobble to decision in four steps
The appointment centres on whether the crown should be reused. That may involve taking it off to inspect underneath, and the findings may suggest a different plan, so leave room to discuss them.
Examine and, if needed, remove the crown
The dentist checks how much the crown moves and may gently remove it to inspect the tooth and the crown’s interior. Depending on your symptoms and history, imaging may also be suggested.
Explain the cause and the choices
Fit, damage and support are assessed. If decay, a fracture or a root problem is found, you will hear what it means, which alternatives exist and what each would cost.
Prepare and resecure the crown
If reuse is right, old cement is removed, the tooth and crown are cleaned and prepared and a suitable dental cement or bonding material is applied. Each step depends on the crown material, so this is not something to attempt at home.
Confirm the bite and plan ahead
Seating, contacts and your bite are checked and any surplus cement is removed. Ask about eating, cleaning and whether you need another appointment.
Once it is secure again
Keep an eye, and a tongue, on it
No single set of rules fits every refit; the material, the tooth and anything else done that day all play a part. Get clear instructions before leaving, especially if this is a temporary refit or you are still frozen.
Follow the timing for eating
Your dentist will say how long to wait and which foods to avoid for now. Instructions from a past crown may not apply. While numb, chew carefully to avoid biting yourself.
Keep the seal clean
Brush and floss around the crown as recommended. A bad taste, floss that keeps catching or sore gums near the edge are worth reporting rather than prodding at.
Call at the first sign of movement
If the crown starts to shift again or meets the opposite tooth too early, arrange a check. Describe what you notice and avoid testing it with your tongue or fingers.
Patient information: NHS Wales — lost filling or crown
Moving crown questions(905) 876-4488
Answers for a crown that is on its way out
Even a crown that is still attached can hide changes underneath. These answers explain why it is checked before it is secured.
Should I take a loose crown out before it falls out on its own?
No. Call the clinic for advice instead. Pulling at it may damage the tooth or crown. If it does come out naturally, keep it in a container and bring it with you.
Why is there a bad taste around my crown?
A taste or smell near a loose crown can mean food and bacteria are getting under the edge. It may also signal decay or infection. Mention it when you call so the dentist can examine the area.
Could I swallow a crown that is loose?
It is possible, particularly while eating or sleeping. That is one reason not to delay. If you think you have inhaled a crown, or you are coughing or short of breath, seek medical care straight away.
Will the dentist need to take the crown off?
Often, yes. Removing a loose crown carefully lets the dentist see the tooth and the inside of the crown. If that is likely, they will explain why and what it involves before starting.
My root-filled tooth has a loose crown but no pain. Is that unusual?
Not really. Once the nerve has been treated, a tooth may not register discomfort even when something has changed. That is why the fit and the tooth need to be examined rather than judged by feel.
From Acton, is it worth waiting until the crown actually falls out?
It is generally better to call now. A crown checked while still attached is less likely to be lost or damaged, and the team can advise you on timing and what to do in the meantime.
Help for a loose crown in Acton
Call before it comes out
Feel a crown shifting? Ring our Bronte Street practice. We will talk you through the next few days, examine the crown and tooth at your visit, share what we find and agree with you on the most suitable way to secure or restore it.
Strong pain, a swollen face or gum, a fever or a recent knock to the mouth are reasons to call straight away, so the team can advise you on timing and the right first step.
Visit Milton Dental ClinicUnit 1, 342 Bronte St. S, Milton, ON L9T 5B7Get directions
Clinic hours
- Monday–Thursday
- 11am–7pm
- Friday–Sunday
- By appointment only
Areas we serve
- Milton
- Oakville
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