A pediatric dental crown is a protective cap placed over a primary tooth with extensive decay or damage. While seeing a lost crown can cause alarm, this is a common occurrence and generally not a dire emergency. The crown’s purpose is to restore function and maintain the space needed for the permanent tooth underneath. Parents can manage this situation by staying calm and following a few simple steps until a dental appointment is arranged.
Immediate Steps for Child Safety
Ensure the child’s immediate safety, confirming they have not swallowed or inhaled the crown. Locate the crown and then inspect the area where it detached. The exposed tooth surface may have sharp edges that could irritate the tongue or cheek. If a sharp edge is present, temporarily cover it with orthodontic wax or sugar-free chewing gum to prevent injury.
Rinsing the mouth with a warm salt water solution can clean the area and provide mild soothing benefits. Use a mixture of half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water several times a day. If the exposed tooth causes sensitivity, administer over-the-counter children’s pain relievers at the appropriate dosage. Instruct the child to avoid chewing on that side of the mouth to prevent further discomfort or damage.
Cleaning and Storing the Crown
After addressing the child’s comfort, focus on recovering and preserving the crown. Carefully pick up the crown, avoiding pressure that could damage its shape. Gently rinse the restoration under lukewarm running water to remove debris or saliva. Do not scrub the crown, as this could remove remnants of the original cement needed for assessment.
Allow the crown to air dry completely, then place it in a small, sealed container, such as a plastic bag or pill bottle. Bringing the original crown to the dental office is highly recommended, as an undamaged crown can often be re-cemented. If the crown is intact, parents may temporarily re-seat it using dental cement or denture adhesive, but this is only a stopgap measure until professional care is available.
Contacting the Pediatric Dentist
A lost crown is urgent, but not emergent, unless the child has severe pain, bleeding, or facial swelling. Contact the pediatric dentist immediately, explaining that you have the crown. Be prepared to provide details, including the child’s comfort level and whether the crown appears damaged. Securing a quick appointment is important because the exposed tooth is vulnerable to bacteria, decay, and sensitivity.
The exposed tooth can shift position slightly in a short amount of time, especially in a growing child’s mouth. If the tooth shifts marginally, the existing crown may no longer fit, requiring a complex replacement procedure. The dental office will likely schedule a re-cementation appointment within one or two days to re-cover the protected tooth structure quickly. Prompt action increases the likelihood that the original restoration can be successfully utilized again.
Common Reasons Crowns Detach
Pediatric crowns are durable, but the cement used to bond them to primary teeth is not as permanent as materials used for adult restorations. Crowns typically detach due to several common factors:
- Consumption of sticky foods, such as taffy or caramels, which exert a strong pulling force that overcomes the cement bond.
- Chewing on hard objects, like ice or pens, which puts excessive stress on the crown material, leading to a break in the seal or fracturing the crown.
- New decay developing underneath the restoration margin, which weakens the remaining tooth structure and causes the crown to lose its secure anchor point.
- The natural exfoliation process of the primary tooth, where the permanent tooth growing below dissolves the baby tooth’s root, causing the crown to loosen and come out.