Swallowed tooth crown, any advice ?

PopcornUK

On Tuesday I got a front crown fitted, second to front tooth, right side. I asked for a composite one as I didn't want any metal based due to having an MRI later this year and I have heard they can distort the MRI images on brain scans. But today, I ate a meal of southern fried boneless chicken and chips, and I noticed the crown was completely gone by the end of the meal, I presume swallowed.

I tried my best to eat on the back right, I couldn't eat on the back left as I have an appointment to get a hole fixed in my back left wisdom tooth on Thursday so wanted to avoid that area. So that just left the back right if I wanted to also avoid the crown.

So now I am totally confused what will happen. I was advised a composite one would not be as tough as a metal/white based one. The other issue is though, the crown is completely gone, would a none composite one have lasted any longer ? I am thinking if it didn't crack, then surely a metal based one would have been sucked off too just as easy ? Or would a metal one be attached differently and more solidly ? Sadly I can't tell if it broke/chipped, or just sucked off, as I swallowed it.

But what I am really worried about is cost, I am on NHS and a new crown costs £255 at cheapest via NHS. Given I am now left with a sawn down stump, where do things go ? Am I to blame ? The dentist did say originally there is not much tooth for the crown to grab on to, as I asked why I didn't get a temp to wear while waiting for it to be made, and was told this was the reason, but there was more tooth before it was ground down. But I presume the dentist has to grind it right down for it to work, especially as the tooth was partially broken before.

I really am a bit stuck and worried. Do I go for another composite ? Or do I have to have metal based now the other one failed ? Would different ones stay attached longer or is it likely it come off regardless due to small tooth size underneath ? I can't contact my dentist until Monday, this literally just happened so I am very annoyed with myself right now, not sure if I am to blame in some way. Also I am panicked if I do go for metal for a new one, what happens about my MRI and risk of distorted images. Then I have to also think of the £255 fee for another crown, and also the fact I can't even have a cheap plastic temp one as there is not enough tooth to grab on to. Damn my brain hurts, haha. I just wish I left the original slightly chipped tooth there now, didn't look as good as a crown, but looks better than the ground down stump I am left with now.

Any help or advice much appreciated. Thank you !!

PopcornUK

I realise that, but I thought an NHS dentist might have had a similar situation happen before and can give an idea, some seem to post on here. But yes, I realise I wait to know for sure.

I am very interested if bonding is the same for all crowns, because if it is then I think other types would have not fared much better.

wondercollie

I have three crowns. One gold and the other two are white over gold (how the dentist explained it).

Never lost one or had them come lose. My Dr always has said if it's further back just do the gold and don't worry about enamel matching

clairec79

I've not had one come loose - in fact when I needed it removed it was a nightmare to take off

teddysmum

I believe that fillings and crowns have a 12 month warranty time during which you can have one free replacement.


I had a tooth ( which should have been crowned) filled and had a free replacement three months later.

silvercar

teddysmum wrote: »

I believe that fillings and crowns have a 12 month warranty time during which you can have one free replacement.


I had a tooth ( which should have been crowned) filled and had a free replacement three months later.

I agree with this. If the crown came out so quickly it suggests it wasn't fixed in place perfectly and the dentist should replace.

As for where the crown now is, if you did swallow it then nature should take its' course and it could reappear! :silenced:

brook2jack

NHS guarantee only applies if you followed dentists recommendation as to most appropriate treatment. In this case dentist suggested one type of crown, op chose to go with something else so the crown would not be covered.

I would think op had a porcelain crown , rather than composite. As to bonding there are many different bonding systems and ways of retaining crowns. Without looking at op, x rays etc it impossible to say what type of crown and retaining system would be best.

brook2jack

teddysmum wrote: »

I believe that fillings and crowns have a 12 month warranty time during which you can have one free replacement.


I had a tooth ( which should have been crowned) filled and had a free replacement three months later.

You were very lucky. If the dentists recommendation is to have a tooth crowned and you chose to have it filled instead the guarantee doesn't apply and you should have paid for the replacement.

The NHS guarantee only applies if
The same dentist does the treatment
The treatment is identical (i.e. Filling no larger, no different material used)
The dentist hasn't recommended a different treatment
The treatment was not an emergency band treatment.