Knowing what to do when your dental crown cracks is important. If you neglect taking care of the matter, you could end up with problems down the road that could have easily been avoided. The first thing you should do is contact your dentist so he or she can address the problem. It is best if you can get an appointment within a day or two. If by chance your dentist can’t see you in that time frame, politely ask for a referral to a respectable dentist that may be able to get you into the office sooner.
Much of the time a cracked dental crown is not an emergency, so if you have to wait a couple of days to get into the dentist, it’s all right. Much of the time the crown simply needs to be smoothed or completely replaced. If by chance you are experiencing a great deal of pain, contact your dentist and ask for an emergency visit.
Sometimes people think that their crown has broken when in fact the tooth underneath the crown has broken off and as a result the crown falls out. This could pose a bigger problem and the dentist will want to look at the area where the tooth broke off and determine what to do next, as occasionally endodontic treatment may be needed.
If the crack in your crown is irritating your tongue, do your best to keep the tongue away from it. Also, if you’re experiencing sensitivity to hot or cold liquids or air, bear with it until you see the dentist. This means that the pulp inside your tooth is alive and well and the dentist will be able to address the issue within a day or two.
The most important thing you should know when it comes to knowing what to do when your dental crown cracks is to call your dentist and get in for a visit as soon as possible. Don’t procrastinate or it might cause you problems and be more expensive when you finally get back into the office.