Dental crowns and bridges are non removable prosthetic devices that a dentist fixes onto a patient’s existing teeth or implants.  

Unlike dentures, which you can remove and place whenever you like; Dental Crowns And Bridges are near-permanent restorations that only a professional dentist can remove. 

While high-quality crowns and bridges are durable with a long lifespan, they might become loose and even fall out. In such situations, you might not feel any pain or discomfort. 

But depending on the scale of your dental restorative treatment, it can significantly affect how your mouth looks, feels, and functions. 

You might be wondering what to do when dental crowns or bridges become loose and fall out. Don’t worry! We are here to help. This article discusses the reasons for an open crown or bridge, preventive care, tips to deal with it, and much more. 

What are the Reasons for a Loose Crown or Bridge?

Following discussed are some common reasons for loose Dental Crowns And Bridges: 

Reasons for a Loose Dental Crown 

• Improper fit or substandard quality can make your dental crowns wobbly within a few years, making it difficult to withstand the bite force. 
• The dental cement might deteriorate with time, losing the crown’s bonding quality.
• You might have short teeth or worn-out rear teeth that don’t provide enough structure to hold the dental crown properly.
• Improper oral hygiene or inadequate cleaning before getting a dental crown fixed can result in loosening the crown. 
• Some patients grind their teeth when sleeping without knowing it (bruxism), which can loosen the crowns. 

Reasons for Loose Dental Bridges 

• Experiencing a hard impact on the face, like during a fall, can loosen dental bridges.
• Fracturing your abutment teeth can impact the bonding of dental bridges.
• Biting or chewing hard foods are common reasons for worn-out bridges.
• Dental cement failure can loosen the bridges’ bonding quality.
• The dentist placed an improperly fitted dental bridge.
• Breaking the metal or porcelain framework underneath the bridge.

Preventing the Loosening of Crowns and Bridges

Improperly fitted and substandard quality Dental Crowns And Bridges or weakened dental cement will require medical intervention. So, it’s better to visit a professional Orthodontic Dentist.  

Otherwise, proactively taking care of your crown or bridge can make a big difference. Follow the below-discussed preventive care tips to ensure the longevity of dental restorations and prevent them from becoming loose:

• If possible, you should avoid sticky foods. Otherwise, see you are eating them carefully. 
• Make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice a day regularly.
• Avoid chewing ice or foods that are hard to chew.
• Consider using an interdental brush to remove plaque better.
• If you grind your teeth while sleeping, consider wearing a mouthguard.
• Consult your dentist when feeling discomfort at the crown or bridge site. 

What Does a Loose Dental Crown and Bridge Feel Like?

Here listed are several tell-tale signs that your Dental Crowns And Bridges have become loose, and you might experience the following:

• Movement: Shifting of the dental crown or bridge while eating, drinking, or touching them is a sure sign they are loose.
• Sensitivity: It’s normal to have a sensitive tooth in the first few days after having a dental crown or bridge placed. But if tooth sensitivity continues for weeks or begins spontaneously at some point after the dental treatment, it might be a sign that your crown or bridge is no longer set correctly. 
• Bite problems: A bite problem causing tooth pain, sore jaws, headaches, and other health issues might indicate that the crown or bridge has become loose and uneven in the mouth.
• Discomfort: There are many signs indicating your crown or bridge has not been fit properly, such as irritated gums, infections, boils, or pain. 
• Bad taste or smell: Odor or bad taste is a sign of food decaying under the crown or bridge area. It means these dental prosthetic devices are loose enough to allow food.

How to Deal With a Loose Dental Crown and Bridges?

Below given are some tips for dealing with loose Dental Crowns And Bridges:

Temporary dental cement for a temporary fix

You should opt for this fix for a completely loose crown. Remove the loose crown and scrub off any remaining dental cement using a toothbrush. 

Rinse the crown and your exposed teeth and dry them. Lastly, apply dental cement to the crown’s inner surface and place it on the top of your tooth. Ensure the cement is completely set by biting down on a small gauze roll.

Use dental floss to tighten the dental bridge.

Take the dental floss and wrap some of it around your fingers. Use the wrapped dental floss to tug on the dental bridge until it becomes tightened again. 

Pressuring the dental bridge

Use your fingers to apply pressure to the dental bridge. Gently press down the loosened bridge until it feels tight against your teeth.

Using sugar-free gum

Cracks, fractures, or breaks can loosen your crown and expose your inner tooth. If the dental crown still adheres to the parts of your tooth, encase it using sugar-free chewing gum. 

You can also temporarily fix the loosened dental bridge with chewing gum. Place the sugar-free gum between the dental bridge and your gums. 

Book an appointment with your dentist.

The above discussed are the temporary fix. So, you must see your Orthodontic Dentist for a permanent solution. These professionals can fix your loosened dental crown or bridge quickly and easily. 

Importance of Maintaining Dental Hygiene with Dental Crowns and Bridges

Maintaining good dental hygiene is critical to the health and longevity of your dental crown and bridges. Poor oral hygiene can cause gum disease, resulting in loosened or falling out crowns or bridges. 

So, you should practice good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and scheduling dental checkups and cleanings.  

Final Thoughts 

If you lose Dental Crowns And Bridges, you are not the first to do so. 

In such a case, you should immediately book an appointment with your dentist to have the crown or bridge refitted or replaced. In the meantime, you can follow the above-discussed temporary fixes to hold onto dental prosthetic devices. 

Moreover, follow good oral hygiene practices for better care of your crown or bridge.