What to Do if Your Dental Crown Feels Loose

A dental crown is designed to fit securely over your tooth, but sometimes, it can feel loose or even come off. If your crown doesn't feel as stable as it should, don't ignore it. A loose crown can expose your natural tooth to decay, sensitivity, or further damage. Here's what to do if you notice a problem.

Signs Your Crown is Loose

Not sure if your crown is loose? Here are a few signs:

Wiggling or shifting: The crown moves when you chew.
Pain or sensitivity: Discomfort around the crowned tooth.
Changes in your bite: Your teeth no longer fit together properly.
Crown lifts when touched: The crown feels unstable or raised.

Steps to Take If Your Crown Feels Loose

1. Avoid Sticky or Hard Foods

Chewing sticky, crunchy, or tough foods can make the problem worse. Until your dentist can check it, stick to soft foods.

2. Check for Food Traps

Sometimes, food can get stuck around a loose crown, making it feel unstable. Floss gently to clear the area.

3. Keep the Area Clean

Gently brush around the crown, but be careful not to apply too much pressure. Rinse with warm salt water to keep the area clean.

4. Do NOT Try to Fix It Yourself

It can be tempting to glue the crown back on with household adhesives, but don't do it. Super glue and other adhesives are not safe for your mouth and can make it harder for your dentist to fix the problem.

5. Avoid Chewing on That Side

If the crown is cracked or broken, avoid chewing on that side. A damaged crown may need replacement to prevent further issues.

6. Call Your Dentist Right Away

A loose crown won't fix itself. Contact your dentist as soon as possible to prevent discomfort or damage to the underlying tooth.

What Causes a Loose Crown?

A crown can become loose due to:

Tooth decay: Decay under the crown can weaken its bond.
Normal wear and tear: Over time, daily chewing can loosen the cement.
Sticky or hard foods: These can pull on or dislodge the crown.
Grinding or clenching: Bruxism puts excess pressure on the crown.
Old or weakened cement: The bonding material may wear down over time.

Restore Your Smile at North Richland Hills Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

If your dental crown feels loose, don't try to fix it yourself—let the experts help. At North Richland Hills Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, Dr. Sonal Desai provides expert care to restore and secure your crown. Call us today to schedule your appointment and keep your smile strong!

Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?

Dental crowns are frequently used to save the smiles of patients because they’re handy in a variety of dental situations. They can strengthen a tooth that’s been severely weakened by decay, they can cover up a tooth that has been chipped, and they’re often used along with other procedures like dental bridges or dental implants. If you think a dental crown might be the solution you need for your smile, your next thought may be, “Okay, but how much is this going to cost me?” Let’s break it down:

Average Cost of Dental Crowns

There are a few factors that can influence the cost of a dental crown. The material yours is made out of will certainly affect the price. For example, there are all-porcelain crowns, porcelain fused-to-metal crowns, zirconia crowns, and gold crowns. A general range is that a dental crown can cost between $800 to $1,700. If you have dental insurance, your plan might cover a good portion of that since crowns are often used as restorative measures.

Our Financial Options

At North Richland Hills Dentistry, we’re used to seeing patients with a range of budgets. While everyone may be coming from a different financial situation, we strongly believe that everyone deserves to access the dental care they need. As a way to make our services affordable to our community, we offer a few types of payment options. For example, we accept all dental PPOS, we have an in-house savings plan, and we extend payment plans through CareCredit and our own in-house financing.

To learn more about any of our financial options, you can head to the Financial page of our website. You’re also more than welcome to contact our office directly with your questions.

Dental Crowns at North Richland Hills Dentistry

Remember, if you need a crown, it may cost you more in the long run to ignore the problem. The North Richland Hills Dentistry team wants to make sure your dental health is always in tip-top shape and that you don’t have to break the budget getting there. Contact our practice today to set up your dental crown appointment