Crown keeps falling out

CrazyCat

My husband had a crown fitted a couple of years ago, but it keeps falling out.

The dentist said that because there was very little remaining tooth there wasn't enough for the cement to stick to. Does this sound right? Is it worth going to a different dentist to see of they have anything stronger to glue it on with, or is it something he's just going to have to live with?

Any advice appreciated!

Ishtar

I had a crown that did this. When the dentist originally fitted it she said it may not last very long due to the small amount of tooth left. It did actually last 8 years before it started causing a problem. The first time it fell out they reglued it. The second time a post was put in and the the third time I was advised to have it replaced. It fell out 3 times in less than 12 months.

It was quite an involved job - they put posts in the tooth and built it up, then took the mould for the crown. I've had it for a year now with no problems.

The problem was that because of the way the tooth originally broke, the crown created a food trap that caused the tooth to decay.

Definitely worth your husband going back to his dentist.

CrazyCat

Thanks Ishtar, it's very annoying though, isn't it!

paulwellerfan

my sister sticks her crown in with denture glue( as cant afforrd to go to the dentist to have it done properly)

coldstreamalways

Personally (as a dentist) I will give crowns one chance. If they come out once then I recement them as I think well I can't exclude the possibility that the cement was contaminated with water or the tooth wasn't dry enough etc etc. The second time for me is a sign that the crown isn't suitable for the job we are asking it to do (either the shape of the tooth underneath isn't correct or there is insufficient tooth to hold the crown on to) and must be redesigned and remade.

Continually sticking it back on is usually a last ditch effort to keep the "tooth" and is very occasionally a plan that the patient and I arrive at as they don't want the extraction/further treatment etc.

coldstreamalways

paulwellerfan wrote: »

my sister sticks her crown in with denture glue( as cant afforrd to go to the dentist to have it done properly)

£17 is the NHS fee to have a crown recemented.

CrazyCat

Fortunately the dentist hasn't charged to glue it back on so far, but I'm wondering how long the good will is going to hold out.

Hubby is reluctant to have to tooth out (for obvious reasons) so if it means he has to keep on having it stuck back on then I suppose that's the way it has to be!

welshdent

Incidentally no amount of stronger cement will hold a crown on if there is insufficient tooth tissue. As it happens most of us use pretty similar stuff anyway.

CrazyCat

Thanks, I thought that would probably be the case, but was hoping there was a magic solution to the problem!