It fell off while you were eating
Say what you were having and whether the crown felt loose before. Keep it somewhere clean and closed, and avoid placing it back on or biting down hard on that side to check.

Nervous about what happens once you are in the chair? For anyone travelling from Rockwood, we explain each part of a crown assessment in advance, check the tooth first and refit the crown only when that is the right choice.
For some people the hardest part of a lost crown is not the gap. It is picking up the phone, because the dentist’s chair brings back old worries. Knowing exactly what a recementation visit involves can take some of that weight off, so here is the plain version.
Recementation is the process of fixing your existing crown back onto the tooth. It only goes ahead when the crown is undamaged, still fits and the tooth beneath is in good enough condition. Before that decision, the dentist looks at both, asks how it came off and explains what they see in everyday language.
You are welcome to say you feel anxious when you book, and to ask questions at any point during the visit. Bring the crown in a closed container, describe how the tooth has felt and mention any medical conditions or medications. Nothing should happen without an explanation first.

You do not need technical words. Simply tell the team whether the crown is right out, whether something seems to be inside it and how the tooth has felt since.
Say what you were having and whether the crown felt loose before. Keep it somewhere clean and closed, and avoid placing it back on or biting down hard on that side to check.
Describe what brings it on and how long it lasts. Sensitivity is common when a tooth loses its cover, and the dentist will check the tooth itself so you know what is causing the feeling.
If a previous refit was difficult, tell us what made it hard. Knowing that helps the team plan the visit. Also mention when the crown was last put back and whether the same situation seems to trigger it.
A crown that is loose but still on is best left where it is until you have called. Mention pain, swelling or any recent injury so the team can advise on timing.
When the crown is intact, fits accurately and sits on a sound tooth, putting it back can be a relatively simple appointment that avoids a new crown being made. For many people that is reassuring. The dentist will confirm it only after examining the crown and the tooth together.
If the tooth underneath has changed, refitting the crown may not hold, and you would be back in the chair sooner. When the dentist suggests something else, it is fair to ask why. A good explanation describes the tooth as it is today, rather than just the crown’s age.
If the fit and the tooth are good, your own crown may go back and continue protecting the tooth. Ask whether anything needs doing first and how that would feel.
An examination can show why the crown let go, which a home fix would never reveal. Ask what the dentist found and how the plan deals with it.
Sometimes the crown is refitted to protect the tooth while another treatment is planned. Ask whether this is the end of it or a first step, so you can prepare.
The appointment begins by deciding whether the crown can be reused. Because the answer may change the plan, there is always time to talk before anything is cemented.
The dentist examines the crown and the tooth, including anything inside the crown, and asks about your symptoms. Imaging may be suggested if more information is needed, and you will be told why.
You will hear whether the crown fits, whether there is damage and whether the tooth can support it. If something else is needed, the options and costs are explained before you decide.
Where the crown can go back, the tooth and crown are cleaned and prepared, and a dental cement or bonding material suited to the crown is used. Freezing is not always needed; ask the dentist what to expect and say if you would like to pause.
The dentist checks how the crown feels when you bite and removes any extra cement. You can ask about eating, cleaning and whether you need to return.
Advice afterwards depends on the cement, the tooth and anything else done. Ask for instructions before leaving, especially if the refit is temporary or you had freezing.
Follow your dentist’s timing and food guidance for this crown. If you had freezing, avoid hot drinks and chewing until it wears off so you do not burn or bite yourself.
Brush and floss as shown for that area. If floss catches, the gum feels tender or the edge seems rough, mention it instead of trying to fix it yourself.
If the crown feels loose again or your bite seems off, contact the clinic and describe the change. Small questions are welcome too; you do not need to wait for a problem to grow.
Patient information: NHS Wales — lost filling or crown
A crown can look fine while the tooth beneath it needs attention. These answers cover what the visit is like and why the tooth is checked first.
When a crown comes off or loosens, a quick call to our Bronte Street team is the first step. Bring the crown with you. We will explain each stage, examine the crown and tooth and discuss a suitable way forward before anything is done.
Swelling, strong pain, a crown that is moving or a recent injury are reasons to phone before your visit, so the team can talk about timing and what to do first.