Why Your Dental Crown Keeps Falling Off And How To Fix It

Are you tired of repeat dental visits to re-bond a dental crown that keeps falling off? Although your dentist might be willing to see you right away, no doubt you want the issue identified and fully resolved. What’s the problem, and how can it be fixed?

Why Does Your Dental Crown Keep Falling Off?

It might seem that the recurring issue is due to cement or bonding material that isn’t strong enough for your dental crown. But the culprit is often the design of the crown preparation.

Dentists prepare teeth before attaching crowns to them. But when minimal tooth structure is left, preparation becomes a challenge. How can your dentist compensate for the loss of tooth structure?

How to Secure a Crown When Minimal Tooth Structure Remains

When minimal tooth structure remains, the following steps will help retain a crown:

• Place a flexible fiberglass dental post deep in the canal of the tooth and cement it in place. A flexible post is needed to withstand daily oral function without damaging the tooth root.
• Bond dental composite to the tooth and post and shape it in the form required for proper retention.
• Bond the crown to the tooth.

The photos below, courtesy of the dental journal, Dentistry Today, provide an example of the process.

There was insufficient tooth structure for proper preparation. Enough root canal filling material was removed to insert a fiberglass post into about 2/3 of the tooth. The post is bonded into the canal. And composite is used to shape the post and tooth into a form that will retain a crown.

If you’re anxious about dental appointments and the above process to correct the issue, speak with your dentist about options for sedation that can help you relax.

What If a Tooth Breaks at the Gumline?

If a tooth breaks at the gumline, building composite around a post only is not a solution for crown retention. Your day-to-day oral function will put twisting stress on the post, and the crown will fall off. This method only leads to a cycle of urgent dental visits to reattach the crown.

Is It Time for a Second Opinion?

Is your dentist unable to prevent your crown from falling off repeatedly? We suggest that you schedule an appointment with an advanced cosmetic dentist for an exam and second opinion. He or she will identify the cause and explain your treatment options.

Monroe, LA cosmetic dentist David Finley, DDS sponsors this post.