1
Examine the tooth and crown
The dentist checks the stump for decay or cracks and inspects the crown for damage. An X-ray confirms the root is sound.
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Lost Crown: What To Do When a Cap Comes Off
A crown that comes off exposes the trimmed-down tooth beneath it. That stump is sensitive and fragile, but if the crown is intact it can often be cleaned and cemented straight back on.
1-855-219-4656 Is a lost crown an emergency?
It is urgent, not usually an emergency. Call 1-855-219-4656 and try to be seen within a day or two. The exposed stump is weak and can chip, and teeth on either side can drift into the gap within days. Treat it as same-day if the stump is painful, if the crown came off with a piece of tooth inside it, or if the tooth had a root canal and the post is loose.
Crowns usually announce their departure over a caramel or a piece of gum. The tooth left behind looks alarming, but a stump that is protected quickly rarely comes to harm. Bring the crown with you, even if it is chipped.
What you will notice
- A small, peg-shaped tooth where the crown used to be
- Sharp sensitivity to cold, air and sweet on the exposed stump
- The crown itself, either loose in your mouth or found in food
- Tooth fragments or a metal post inside the crown, which means the tooth broke
- A changed bite, as the opposite tooth no longer meets anything
Crowns come off for a reason. Decay under the edge softens the tooth, cement breaks down with age, or the tooth cracks under load. The dentist checks the stump for all three before deciding whether the old crown can go back on.
What to do tonight, before you are seen
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Find the crown, rinse it and keep it in a small bag or container | Do not swallow it or leave it loose in your pocket where it can be lost |
| Coat the inside of the crown with temporary dental cement or toothpaste and slide it back on as a short-term measure | Do not use superglue or any permanent adhesive. It can trap bacteria and ruin the crown |
| Cover the stump with dental wax if you cannot reseat the crown, and chew on the other side | Do not chew sticky or hard food that could break the exposed tooth |
| Brush the stump gently and rinse with warm salt water | Do not skip the appointment because the crown seems to be staying on. Temporary cement washes out |
How the dentist handles a lost crown
2
Recement or rebuild
If everything is intact, the crown is cleaned, tried in and cemented back in place in about 20 minutes. If decay has eaten into the stump, it is cleaned out and rebuilt first. See crown replacement.
3
Make a new crown if needed
A crown that no longer fits or is broken is replaced. A temporary crown protects the tooth for the two to three weeks while the new one is made.
Lost crown treatment costs
| Treatment | Without insurance |
|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 |
| Temporary crown | $90–$300 |
| New permanent crown | $800–$2,000 |
| Root canal (if the nerve is involved) | $700–$1,500 |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. See the emergency dental cost guide and the no-insurance guide.
Treatments and related guides
Treatments a dentist may use: Lost crown and filling replacement, Emergency root canal, Broken tooth repair.
Lost Crown FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
Is a lost crown an emergency?
It is urgent rather than an emergency. Aim to be seen within a day or two. Go the same day if the stump hurts, if part of the tooth broke off inside the crown, or if you cannot keep the crown on and the tooth is very sensitive.
Can I put the crown back on myself?
As a temporary measure, yes, if it seats easily. Clean it, dry it, add a little temporary dental cement or toothpaste, and press it on in the correct orientation. Never use superglue, and still see the dentist.
Can the dentist reuse my old crown?
Often. If the crown is undamaged and the tooth underneath is sound, it can be recemented and last for years. If decay or a crack changed the shape of the stump, a new crown is needed.
What happens if I leave the crown off for weeks?
The stump can decay or fracture, the neighboring and opposing teeth drift, and the old crown may no longer fit. What was a quick recement becomes a rebuild and a new crown.
How much does it cost to replace a lost crown?
Recementing the existing crown is the least expensive option. A new crown runs $800 to $2,000, with a temporary crown at $90 to $300 in between. If the nerve is involved, a root canal adds $700 to $1,500.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: ADA MouthHealthy, Crowns, ADA MouthHealthy, Dental Emergencies. Editorial policy.
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