The short answer
Don’t worry: a temporary crown is held on with weak cement on purpose, so it can be removed easily at your next visit. Keep the crown, keep the tooth clean, chew on the other side and call your dentist so it can be put back on, ideally within a day or two.
Crowns here are made by a local lab from a digital scan, so you wear a temporary crown for the week or two between visits. It covers the shaped tooth and holds the space for the final dental crown.
What should you do if your temporary crown falls off?
- Find it and keep it. Rinse it gently and store it in a clean, dry container or a small bag.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water and check the tooth for anything stuck to it.
- Brush gently around the tooth with a soft brush. It may feel sensitive to cold or air.
- Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold, sticky or hard food.
- Call us on 845-336-5855. Bring the crown with you to the appointment.
Can you put a temporary crown back on yourself?
Yes, for a short while, if it slides into place easily. Clean the inside of the crown, check which way it sits, then add a little temporary dental cement from a pharmacy and bite down gently. Wipe off any extra cement and floss by sliding the floss out sideways. Never use super glue or household glue: they can damage the tooth and stop the final crown from fitting. If the crown doesn’t seat easily, leave it out and bring it in.
How long can you leave a temporary crown off?
Not long. A day or two is usually fine, but a shaped tooth left uncovered can become sensitive, and it can move slightly so the lab crown no longer fits. If it comes off on a weekend, keep the tooth clean and call first thing on the next clinic day. It’s more urgent if you have swelling, strong pain or the tooth feels out of place: our emergency dentistry page explains what to do.
What if your temporary crown broke or you swallowed it?
Don’t try to glue broken pieces together. Keep them and call: a new temporary crown is made at the office in one short visit. If you swallowed it, call us for a new one. If you coughed or choked as it went down, or you have trouble breathing, get medical care right away, because it may have gone into your airway.
Why does a temporary crown keep falling off?
Temporary cement is weak by design. Chewing gum, caramel, bagels and other sticky or chewy food can pull the crown loose, and so can lifting floss up through the contact instead of sliding it out. A short or worn tooth gives the crown less to hold on to. If it comes off more than once, we can reline or remake the temporary so it stays put until your fitting.
Temporary crown questions
My temporary crown fell off but it doesn’t hurt. Do I still need to come in?
Yes. The temporary protects the shaped tooth and holds the space for your final crown, even when nothing hurts.
Can I brush my teeth if my temporary crown fell off?
Yes. Brush gently with a soft brush and rinse with warm water after meals.
My temporary crown fell off after one day. Is that normal?
It happens, usually after sticky food. Call us and we’ll put it back on with fresh cement.
If it was your permanent crown that came off, read what to do if a filling or crown falls out. Need it put back on? Call 845-336-5855 or book an appointment.
