A broken crown or core
Refitting may not hold for long when the crown is cracked or the build-up inside it has fractured. The dentist judges how much of the crown and tooth are still sound and whether a repair could restore proper function.
Restorative Dentistry
Dental Crown Replacement in Mississauga
A crown that wobbles or lands in your hand mid-meal raises an immediate question: can it go back on? For people in western Mississauga and beyond, we find out why it came loose and what the tooth needs next.
When a crown comes looseGet help with a loose crown
It came off. Now what?
Crowns usually come loose without warning, often on something sticky like toffee or chewing gum. The first instinct is to push it back and hope. A better plan is to keep the crown safe, call the clinic and let the dentist work out why the cement let go.
Sometimes the answer is simple and the same crown can be cleaned and recemented. Other times the reason it loosened is decay underneath, a broken core or a crown that no longer fits the tooth. In those cases, replacement, which means making a new restoration after the old one is off, may be the more reliable path.
A tooth left uncovered can be sensitive and more fragile than usual. The examination looks at what remains of it, the gum, any symptoms and its treatment history. Share anything you noticed before the crown came off, such as a bad taste or a rocking feeling, because those details help explain what happened.
Why crowns lose their grip
Finding the reason it let go
Cement can age, but loosening is often a sign of a change in the tooth or the crown. The assessment separates a crown that can be refitted from one that needs a different plan.
Decay or a poor seal at the edge
Decay along the margin can undermine the tooth until the crown has little to grip. Examination clarifies the cause, and the decay must be treated before any crown, old or new, is fitted again.
A chance to change how it looks
If you never liked the shade or shape of the crown that came off, now is a natural time to mention it. Choosing a new crown when the old one could be refitted still involves weighing benefits against drawbacks.
Call promptly if the tooth is painful, the gum is swollen or you think you may have swallowed or inhaled the crown. These change how soon you should be seen.
What a new crown can offer
A firmer fit for the tooth as it is today
When the old crown cannot be reused, a new one can be designed for the current shape of the tooth and your bite. Its material, contour and look are chosen together, with the amount of supporting tooth and your cleaning habits in view, so it has a sound base to hold onto.
A replacement crown does not guarantee the tooth will need no further work. Its remaining structure, the pulp or a past root canal, gum health and other factors still influence the outlook. Ask which of these are most relevant to you.
Fix whatever loosened the old crown
If decay, a fractured build-up or too little tooth structure caused the problem, the plan should correct it. Ask how that will be dealt with before the permanent crown is fitted.
Consider what will hold up best here
Different crown materials suit different jobs. The tooth’s position and the forces it handles should shape the recommendation, explained for your mouth rather than as a single choice that suits everyone.
Rethink the details you noticed
Shape, how the crown touches neighbouring teeth and how easily you can clean around it all affect daily comfort. If the old crown trapped food or felt high, tell us so the replacement can be planned differently.
From loose crown to settled tooth
How the treatment usually runs
The number of appointments depends on what the tooth needs. Ask in advance about temporary protection, comfort, fees and how the plan would change if extra treatment is required.
Assess the tooth and the crown that came off
The dentist examines the exposed tooth, the crown itself if you brought it, the gum and your bite, and takes suitable records. You will hear whether recementing is realistic or whether replacement is the more reasonable option.
Clean, treat and reassess
With your consent and appropriate comfort measures, any old cement and decay are removed. The tooth is examined closely, and findings that would change the plan are discussed before further work.
Rebuild if needed and take records
A new core or other supporting treatment is placed or arranged, and records are taken for the new crown. Shade and shape are discussed where relevant, and a temporary crown covers the tooth in the meantime.
Fit and check the replacement
The dentist checks fit, contacts and bite while you comment on appearance and comfort. After it is placed, you will get instructions on early care, cleaning and any follow-up visits.
After the crown is back in place
Steady habits for a secure crown
A firmly fitted crown still depends on a healthy tooth and gum around it. Ask for instructions that take into account any rebuilding or other work done along the way.
Respect the cement on day one
Depending on the cement and on lingering numbness, you may be asked to wait before chewing on that side. Check before leaving, and avoid biting your lip or cheek while the freezing fades.
Clean carefully around the margin
Keep up brushing at the gumline and cleaning between teeth. If floss catches on the crown or the area is awkward to reach, let us know so the contour can be checked and an easier method suggested.
Watch for signs it is not right
Report renewed looseness, ongoing sensitivity, pain on biting or a bite that feels high. These need examination rather than repeated testing with hard or sticky foods.
Patient information: ADA MouthHealthy — dental crowns
Loose crown questions(905) 876-4488
What people ask after a crown comes off
These answers can help you manage the gap until your appointment. Bring any other questions about looks, timing or the temporary stage.
Should I try to put the crown back on myself?
It is best not to use household glue or adhesives, which can damage the tooth or the crown and make refitting harder. Keep the crown in a clean container and call the clinic for advice on what to do until you are seen.
What if I swallowed the crown?
A swallowed crown often passes without harm, but contact your doctor or the clinic for advice. If you have coughing, difficulty breathing or think it went down the wrong way, seek urgent medical care immediately.
Why can’t my old crown simply be recemented?
Suppose the crown is cracked, no longer fits or came off because of decay or a broken core. Putting it back would not solve the underlying problem. The dentist will explain what was found and why replacement is being suggested.
Is the exposed tooth at risk while I wait?
It may be sensitive and more prone to chipping. Chew on the other side, avoid very hot, cold or hard foods and keep the area clean. Call sooner if pain, swelling or a sharp edge develops.
Will the new crown come loose too?
A crown fitted on a well-prepared, healthy foundation is generally more secure, but no crown is guaranteed. Good cleaning, regular checks and avoiding very sticky or hard foods all help reduce the risk.
Coming from Mississauga, how should I plan the visits?
Ask how many appointments the tooth is likely to need and book them together where possible. If the crown comes off at an inconvenient time, call first so the team can advise whether you need to be seen right away.
Loose crown care for Mississauga
Bring the crown, and the tooth, in for a check
Contact our Bronte Street practice to arrange an assessment. We will look at the crown that came off, examine the tooth underneath and explain whether it can be refitted or should be replaced, and what each step involves.
If you are in pain, the gum is swollen or you think the crown was swallowed, tell us at the start of the call so we can guide you on timing.
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
- Mississauga
- Georgetown
- Halton Hills
- Acton
- Campbellville
- Brampton
- Burlington
- Puslinch
- Rockwood
- Erin
- Caledon
- Etobicoke
- Old Milton
- Bronte Meadows
- Timberlea
- Dorset Park
- Dempsey
- Clarke
- Beaty
- Coates
- Harrison
- Scott
- Willmott
- Ford
- Bowes
- Cobden
- Walker
- Mountain View
- Milton Heights
- Hawthorne Village
- Valley View
- Fallingbrook
- Nassagaweya
- Trafalgar
- Esquesing
- Nelson
- Brookville
- Moffat
- Glen Williams
- Norval
- Limehouse
- Stewarttown
- Ashgrove
- Hornby
- Silver Creek
- Speyside
- Scotch Block
- North Oakville
- River Oaks
- Glen Abbey
- West Oak Trails
- Palermo
- Bronte Creek
- College Park
- Joshua Creek
- Uptown Core
- Preserve
- Iroquois Ridge
- Lisgar
- Meadowvale
- Meadowvale Village
- Churchill Meadows
- Erin Mills
- Central Erin Mills
- Streetsville
- East Credit
- Creditview
- Heartland
- Sheridan
- Mount Pleasant
- Credit Valley
- Huttonville
- Churchville
- Springbrook
- Northwest Brampton
- Bram West
- Fletcher's Meadow
- Fletcher's Creek South
- Alton Village
- Orchard
- Millcroft
- Headon Forest
- Tansley
- Brant Hills
- Tyandaga
- Kilbride
- Lowville
- Aberfoyle
- Morriston
- Arkell
- Hillsburgh
- Freelton
- Carlisle
- Waterdown
- Flamborough
- Mountsberg
