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A loose or lost dental crown is among the most common types of dental emergencies. Crowns are used to conceal and safeguard cracked or otherwise damaged teeth from dangerous oral bacteria and food residue. Hence, when they fall out or become loose, this becomes a serious dental problem that you shouldn’t ignore. But what causes dental crowns to fall out in the first place?

Continue reading to discover the six most common reasons why a dental crown can get compromised and eventually fall out. 

1. Bad design or improper fit

If you’re wearing the crown for a few years now and it has already started to feel loose or is missing, it is most likely because it was constructed with a poor fit. If your crown doesn’t fit properly, the stress and pressure from everyday activities like chewing and biting can eventually cause it to loosen and fall out. If the tooth covered with a crown is too short and lacks enough structure to properly support the restoration, your crown can also fall out over time. 

2. Nighttime teeth grinding

Teeth grinding is a major cause of premature crown failure, especially in the back teeth. If you clench and gnash your teeth while sleeping, you’re putting lots of pressure on your premolars and molars. This can eventually cause the glue that holds your crown in place to come off or cause the restoration itself to fracture. If you’re diagnosed with nighttime teeth grinding and have back teeth covered with crowns, consider asking an experienced dental specialist to make you a nightguard that you can wear to protect your teeth at night. 

3. Deterioration of dental glue

The dental glue with which your crown is anchored in place is strong and long-lasting. However, it isn’t permanent. Even if you practice thorough dental hygiene, this glue is likely to deteriorate with time, causing your crown to loosen or even fall out. If your crown isn’t  cracked or chipped, it should be as good as new. 

4. Recurring tooth decay

If you avoid brushing and flossing your teeth daily, you’re allowing dental caries to develop under the crown. This problem is rare, but it does occur. The same thing can happen if your dental specialist fails to adjust your tooth properly before covering it with a crown. 

5. Improper diet

Hard and sticky foods can be detrimental to your dental health, particularly if you have crowned teeth. Sticky foods can loosen your crown over time or even grab hold of it and pull it out of alignment. Eating anything too hard can potentially result in a chipped or even cracked crown that will eventually become loose and fall out. If you’re wearing a temporary crown, try avoiding consuming gum, soft caramels, and other chewy sweets. While these foods may not be as problematic for those who have permanent crowns, they nevertheless have the potential to create unwanted issues.

6. The end of a crown’s lifespan

When a crown reaches the end of its useful life, it may fall out. While following the recommended care practices can lengthen the life of a crown, even the best-kept crown only has a lifespan of about 15 years. After that, no matter how many times you have your dentist refit it, it will continue to fall out.

The bottom line

If you've lost a dental crown, you should have it replaced quickly and determine the exact reason why it fell out in the first place. So don't put it off any longer. Make an appointment with a dental specialist right away.