Can a Dentist Glue a Crown Back On? My Complete Guide to Reattaching a Fallen Dental Crown

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: My First-Hand Advice for When a Crown Falls Off

I still remember the first time a dental crown popped off when I was eating sticky caramel. One moment I was enjoying my snack, then I felt something hard rolling around in my mouth. At first, I was worried. Is this a big deal? Can dentists just glue my crown back on or will I need a lot of dental work?

If you’re here, you probably want a simple answer: Yes, most dentists can glue or “re-cement” a crown back onto your tooth, if the crown and tooth look good. The faster you see a dentist, the more likely it is to be a simple fix. I made the mistake of waiting, which only made my tooth hurt more and made things harder to fix later. Don’t make my mistake.

Wondering what to do next? Keep reading, and I’ll explain everything step by step based on my own experiences and what dentists have taught me. You’ll find out when they can glue a crown back on, when that’s not possible, how the dentist does it, and how to keep your crown from coming off again.

2. When Can a Crown Be Re-cemented? (Conditions for Success)

When my crown ended up in my hand, I wondered: “Can the dentist put it back on?” After going through this a few times (yep, it’s happened more than once), here’s when your crown will usually go right back onto your tooth:

• The crown itself is not broken: If your crown isn’t cracked or missing chunks, it can probably be used again.
• The tooth underneath is still in good shape: No big holes, no big cracks, no infection—if the tooth is healthy, chances are good for a simple repair.
• The crown still fits nicely: If it feels like it “clicks” or sits nicely on the tooth and isn’t wobbly, that’s a good sign.
• No pain, swelling, or infection: If your gums look normal and your tooth doesn’t ache badly, that also helps.

For me, I rinsed the crown, gently set it back over the tooth, and felt that it fit well. My dentist checked as well, and I was a good candidate for re-cementing.

3. When Is Re-cementing NOT an Option? (When You Need a New Crown)

But it’s not always simple. A friend of mine tried to stick their own crown back on (not a great idea), and it turned out there was a lot more going on. You might need a new crown if:

• The crown is cracked or has pieces missing: If it’s broken, there’s no way to seal it well.
• The tooth underneath has a big cavity or is broken: If the tooth is eaten up by decay or broken under the gum, it needs fixing first, sometimes even a root canal.
• The crown keeps falling off: If you’ve glued the same crown back on more than once, it might be the wrong size or shape.
• A root canal is needed: Sometimes, an X-ray shows infection or other big problems with the tooth’s nerve.
• The crown doesn’t fit anymore: Teeth can shift, or maybe it never fit just right.

When my crown got cracked, I hoped for a quick fix, but I needed a new one. The good news is that new crowns—like zirconia crowns or ones from a solid dental lab—are usually stronger and last longer now.

4. The Step-By-Step Dental Crown Re-cementing Process: My Experience in the Chair

If you’re like me, you want to know what’s going to happen. Here’s what the dentist did when they glued my crown back on:

Step 1: Exam

The dentist looked carefully at my mouth, checked for pain, and sometimes took an X-ray to look for hidden problems.

Step 2: Cleaning

They cleaned both my tooth and the inside of the lost crown to get rid of old glue and make sure nothing else was left behind.

Step 3: Getting the Tooth Ready

Sometimes my dentist smoothed out the tooth or fixed small cavities to make the crown grip better.

Step 4: Adding Special Dental Glue

Dentists use special glue—never regular glue!—that’s meant for teeth.

Step 5: Pushing the Crown Back On

They placed the crown back on my tooth, had me bite down, wiggled it a little, and made sure it was even.

Step 6: Letting It Dry and Cleaning Up

Some glue dries on its own, some needs a blue light to harden. When it was set, the dentist cleaned away any extra glue.

Dentists pick different glues (like resin or other types) based on the tooth and what kind of crown you have.

5. Why Do Dental Crowns Fall Off? Digging Deeper into the Causes

Now that I’ve had this happen more than once, I know it’s pretty common. Here’s why dental crowns can come loose:

Old Glue Wearing Out

Dental cement gets old and weak over the years. My first crown fell out because the glue just couldn’t hold it anymore.

Cavities

If you don’t brush and floss well, decay can sneak in under the edge of the crown and make it loose.

Teeth Grinding

I grind my teeth at night, and this puts extra pressure on crowns and can make them come loose. If that sounds like you, ask about a night guard.

Chewing Hard or Sticky Foods

Sticky candy, ice, or really hard foods can also pull a crown off. That’s how I lost one of mine.

Getting Hit in the Face

Sometimes an accident is all it takes—getting bumped during sports, falling, even biting something by mistake.

Not Enough Tooth to Grip

If your tooth was small or not shaped right before, the crown might not have had enough to hold onto.

6. My Quick Action Plan: What to Do Immediately If Your Crown Falls Off

Here’s what I do right after a crown comes off—every single time:

• Find the crown: Don’t throw it away! Rinse it gently with water.
• Look at the crown and tooth: See if either is broken or hurt.
• Don’t chew on that side: The tooth might be sensitive or sharp, so eat on the other side.
• Keep the crown safe: I put mine in a clean container, not in tissue—tissue gets lost easily!
• If you have to, use a store-bought dental cement kit for a quick fix (not crazy glue!). These are just to get you through a day or two, not a real fix.
• Call your dentist: Get help soon. The longer the tooth is exposed, the more likely it is to get sore or infected.

Sometimes the tooth will be a little sensitive to temperature or air; if it hurts a lot, it could be a deeper problem.

7. How Long Will a Re-cemented Crown Last? Longevity and Success Rates Explained

I always wanted to know: “Will it just fall off again quickly?” Here’s what I know from my experience and my dentist:

• If the crown and tooth are in good shape, glueing the crown back on can last years. Many studies say the fix works well for several years in most healthy cases. For me, my glued-back crown stayed put for five more years.
• Sometimes crowns that come off once will fall off again. This happens if the fit just isn’t right or if you have bite problems.
• How long the repair lasts depends on:
• The type of glue used (some are stronger than others)
• How well the crown fits
• How healthy your tooth is
• How you take care of your teeth afterward

So, a re-cemented crown can work really well, but keep up with check-ups and watch it for signs of looseness.

8. What Does It Cost to Re-cement a Crown vs. Getting a New One?

Let’s talk cost, since nobody wants a surprise bill:

• Re-cementing a crown usually costs about $100 to $350 in the US—a lot cheaper than a new crown.
• A brand-new crown can be $800 to $2,500 or more for each tooth!
• Insurance usually covers gluing a crown back on, since it’s a basic repair. I only had to pay a small copay.
• A new crown may only be partly covered (check your plan for details; some only pay for certain types of crowns).

Final costs depend on where you live and if your tooth needs extra work (like a root canal). If you need lab-made crowns, working with a trusted china dental lab or a good local lab means you’ll get a better-quality crown.

9. How I Keep My Crowns Secure: Tips for Preventing Future Dislodgement

After having a crown come off more than once, I really try to avoid it. Here’s what works for me and what my dentist says:

• Brush and floss every day: Focus on the gum area and where the crown meets your real tooth.
• Stay away from really hard or sticky foods: I avoid caramels, taffy, and hard candy.
• Regular dental check-ups: My dentist checks my crowns at every appointment and takes X-rays if needed.
• If you grind your teeth, get a proper night guard: Store-bought guards are okay but custom ones from a night guard dental lab work better.
• Fix bite problems: I once needed an adjustment when a new crown felt a bit too high. Even little changes help.
• Deal with dry mouth or gum problems early: Saliva protects your teeth and crowns, so tell your dentist if your mouth always feels dry.

If your crown ever feels a bit loose, call your dentist right away. It’s much easier to fix before it falls off.

10. Final Thoughts: Your Next Step for the Best Outcome

The first time my crown popped out, I got scared. But after a few repairs, I learned it’s usually fixable and not a big disaster.

Here’s what you should remember:

• Don’t ignore a crown that falls off or gets loose. The faster you get help, the better your tooth will feel and the less you’ll spend.
• In most cases, dentists CAN glue a crown back if the crown and tooth look good.
• Taking care of your teeth will help crowns stay put for a long time.
• Never use regular glue. Only special dental glue is safe for your teeth.

So if a crown falls out, don’t panic! Keep the crown safe, treat your tooth gently, call a dentist, and let them do the fixing. Your smile will thank you.

I hope this guide helps answer your questions. If you’re interested in how digital dentistry or lab-made crowns work, ask your dentist or check out what a digital dental lab does. Good luck—and remember, look after your smile!