How to Recement a Crown

People like their dental crowns firmly attached to their teeth. When a crown becomes loose, dentists are not always available to replace them. In many cases, people can temporarily recement their loose crown just like a dentist.
When a crown falls off a tooth, look inside the crown. If the crown is full to the brim with hard or soft material, the tooth may be broken. Look at the tooth in the mouth. If the tooth breaks even with the gum line, wait for the dentist’s assistance. Be sure to consult a dentist if there is extreme pain or swelling.

If the crown is mostly hollow, that is a good sign. If the crown has a quarter to half inch post sticking out of it, that is good as well. In either case, that means that the cement that holds the crown onto the tooth probably gave way. Crowns like that are relatively easy to recement.

Gather the tools and materials necessary to recement the crown. First, find something to use for the cement. Many pharmacies and grocery stores carry temporary filling material. A popular brand is Dentemp (www.majesticdrug.com/dentemp.htm). Buy two or three doses of cement. The crown could loosen again or not go on correctly the first time. Denture adhesive or even sugar free chewing gum may work in a pinch. A paper clip is a handy tool to clean the old cement out of the crown. Get a toothpick and floss to clean away the excess cement. Find a countertop or vanity mirror; a countertop, magnifying mirror is better. A toothbrush rounds out the armamentarium.

First, clean off the tooth with the toothbrush and floss. Rinse away loose particles of cement or food. Then, clean out the crown. Open the paperclip, and use it to scrape any loose cement out of the crown. For crowns that have posts, scrap the cement off the post. If the post falls off, or becomes very loose, leave this job to the dentist. Do not worry if the tooth is somewhat sensitive to cold water, air, or touch. Sensitivity is normal for teeth that have not had root canal treatment.