Crown Fallen Off? What to Do, Costs & Emergency Help (2026 UK Guide)

Last updated: April 2026. Information sourced from NHS.uk, NHS 111 Wales, NHSBSA, the British Dental Association (BDA), Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and peer-reviewed clinical research. NHS dental charges confirmed from 1 April 2026.

Your dental crown has just come off. Perhaps you bit into something and felt it shift, or it simply fell out while you were eating. It is understandable to feel alarmed, but take a breath — a fallen crown is not a medical emergency in most cases, and there are clear steps you can take right now to protect your tooth until you see a dentist.

This guide covers exactly what to do, how to temporarily fix the problem, when to seek urgent care, what it will cost on the NHS and privately, and how to prevent it from happening again.

Do this right now:

1. Retrieve the crown — place it in a clean, dry container (not tissue)
2. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water
3. Call your dentist — or call NHS 111 if your practice is closed

What to Do If Your Crown Falls Off (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps as soon as your crown comes off. The sooner you act, the more likely the original crown can be recemented and the underlying tooth can be protected.

Step 1: Retrieve and Store the Crown Safely

If you still have the crown, keep it safe. Place it in a small plastic bag, pill box, or any clean, hard container. Do not wrap it in tissue — fibres can stick to the inside of the crown and interfere with recementation.

Do not attempt to clean the crown with bleach, boiling water, or household disinfectant. A gentle rinse with clean water is all that is needed.

"If you have the crown, keep it safe and take it to the dentist." — NHS 111 Wales, Lost Filling or Crown

Step 2: Assess the Exposed Tooth

The prepared tooth underneath your crown — sometimes called the "peg" — will look smaller and may feel rough or sharp. This is normal; the tooth was shaped to fit the crown.

• Rinse the area gently with warm water
• Avoid probing the tooth with your tongue or fingers
• If the tooth looks black or dark underneath, do not panic — but mention this to your dentist, as it may indicate decay

Step 3: Manage Pain and Sensitivity

The exposed tooth may be sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet food and drink. To manage this:

• Apply sensitive toothpaste (such as Sensodyne) directly to the exposed tooth with a clean finger — NHS 111 Wales specifically recommends this
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed for pain relief
• Avoid very hot or very cold food and drink on that side

Step 4: Consider a Temporary Fix

Over-the-counter temporary dental cement can hold the crown in place until your appointment. Products like Dentemp RECAPIT (around £5.99 from Boots and other pharmacies) are specifically designed for loose crowns and require no mixing. See the temporary fixes section below for full details.

Step 5: Contact Your Dentist

Call your dental practice as soon as possible. Many practices keep emergency slots available for situations exactly like this.

• During practice hours: Call your dentist directly and explain that a crown has come off. You should be offered an urgent appointment.
• Outside hours: Check your practice's voicemail for out-of-hours instructions, or call NHS 111 (free, 24 hours, 7 days a week). NHS 111 can direct you to an urgent dental centre.
• Weekend or bank holiday: NHS 111 remains your best option. In Northern Ireland, Emergency Dental Clinics (EDCs) operate specifically on weekends and bank holidays.

If you are struggling to access an appointment, our guide on what to do in a dental emergency when you cannot get an NHS appointment may help.

Is a Crown Falling Off a Dental Emergency?

In most cases, a crown falling off is urgent but not a medical emergency. It requires prompt dental attention, but you are unlikely to need A&E or 999.

When It IS an Emergency

Seek urgent dental care within 24 hours if:

• Severe pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter painkillers
• Swelling in the gum, face, or jaw around the affected tooth
• Bleeding from the exposed tooth that does not stop
• The tooth underneath is visibly fractured, cracked, or has a jagged edge
• You cannot eat or drink due to pain or sensitivity

These signs may indicate infection, nerve exposure, or tooth damage beneath the crown. Contact your dentist urgently or call NHS 111.

When It Can Wait

You can wait for a routine urgent appointment (within a few days) if:

• The crown came off cleanly and intact
• The underlying tooth looks undamaged
• You have only mild sensitivity or no pain
• Pain is manageable with over-the-counter relief
• You have successfully applied temporary cement

Even if it can wait, do not delay beyond a week. The longer the tooth is exposed, the greater the risk of decay, fracture, or movement that could make the crown impossible to refit.

When to Go to A&E

A&E cannot treat dental problems, but you should attend A&E or call 999 if you experience:

• Severe facial or jaw injury from trauma
• Uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling affecting your breathing or swallowing
• Swelling affecting your vision

"If you have a dental emergency, you should contact your dentist. If you cannot contact your dentist, contact NHS 111." — NHS England, Find an NHS Dentist in an Emergency

If you need help finding emergency dental care near you, our emergency dentist guide explains your options across the UK.

Can You Glue a Crown Back On Yourself?

Never use superglue, household adhesive, or any non-dental product to reattach a crown. This is one of the most common mistakes people make, and it can cause serious problems.

The BDA found that 82% of UK dentists surveyed had treated patients who attempted DIY dental work, including using superglue on crowns and fillings. The risks include:

• Tissue bonding — superglue can bond your gums, lips, or cheek to the crown or tooth
• Crown damage — it prevents the dentist from properly refitting the crown, often requiring a costly replacement
• Masking decay — gluing the crown back on may hide tooth decay or damage underneath, delaying essential treatment
• Toxic fumes — cyanoacrylate adhesives are not designed for oral use

Temporary Dental Cement: The Safe Alternative

Over-the-counter temporary dental cement is available at most UK pharmacies and is designed specifically for this situation:

How to Use Temporary Cement

1. Clean the inside of the crown gently with warm water
2. Dry it thoroughly
3. Apply a small amount of temporary cement to the inside of the crown
4. Press the crown firmly onto the tooth, ensuring it is straight and aligned with your bite
5. Bite down gently on a cotton pad or soft cloth for a few minutes to set the cement
6. Avoid eating on that side for at least one hour

Important: Temporary cement is a short-term measure only. Even if the crown feels secure, you must still see a dentist. These products cannot address underlying decay or damage, and they should not be used for more than 30 days.

If the crown does not fit back onto the tooth properly — for example, if the tooth has shifted or broken — do not force it. Simply keep the crown safe and see a dentist.

What If You Swallowed Your Crown?

If you accidentally swallowed your crown, try not to worry. Dental crowns are small, smooth objects, and in the vast majority of cases they pass safely through the digestive system without any intervention.

"Most objects will travel naturally and safely through your digestive tract, and be passed in your poo (stool)." — Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Swallowing or Breathing in an Object During Dental Treatment

According to NHS guidance, treatment to remove a swallowed object is only needed in approximately 1 to 2 out of every 10 cases.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Go to A&E or call 999 immediately if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing or choking — this may mean the crown was inhaled rather than swallowed, which is more serious
• Stomach pain or abdominal discomfort
• Blood in your stool (red or black)
• Difficulty swallowing after the event

If you are unsure whether you swallowed or inhaled the crown, go to A&E — an X-ray will confirm its location. Dental crowns are visible on X-ray due to their metallic or ceramic composition.

Tell your dentist that you no longer have the crown, as a new one will need to be made.

Can You Eat and Drink With a Crown Off?

Yes, but with care. The exposed tooth underneath is more fragile and sensitive than a healthy tooth, so you need to protect it.

Foods to avoid:

• Very hot or very cold food and drink
• Hard foods (nuts, crusty bread, ice, boiled sweets)
• Sticky or chewy foods (toffee, caramel, chewing gum)
• Sugary foods and drinks — these accelerate decay on the exposed tooth surface
• Acidic foods and drinks (citrus, vinegar, fizzy drinks)

Safer choices:

• Soft foods at room temperature
• Chew on the opposite side of your mouth
• Drink water rather than sugary or acidic beverages

How Long Can You Go Without a Crown?

There is no fixed safe window, but the sooner the crown is refitted, the better. Going without a crown for more than a week increases the risk of:

• Decay — the prepared tooth surface is not designed to withstand the oral environment without protection
• Tooth fracture — a crowned tooth (especially one that has had root canal treatment) is weaker and may crack under normal biting forces
• Tooth movement — adjacent teeth can shift into the space, making it impossible to refit the original crown

Why Do Dental Crowns Fall Off?

Understanding why your crown came off can help you and your dentist decide the best course of action. Common causes include:

• Underlying tooth decay — the most common cause of crown failure. Decay beneath the crown gradually destroys the tooth structure the crown was cemented to, causing it to loosen and eventually fall off. A crown that falls off due to decay may need root canal treatment or extraction rather than simple recementation.
• Cement deterioration — dental cement weakens over time through exposure to oral fluids, temperature changes, and biting forces. This is a natural process, particularly in older crowns.
• Age of the crown — crowns do not last forever. According to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, a well-maintained crown typically lasts around 8 to 10 years. Clinical research shows survival rates of 80.9% at 10 years and 70.5% at 15 years.
• Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) — grinding places enormous force on crowns, accelerating cement failure and even cracking the crown itself. Clinical studies confirm that bruxism significantly increases crown failure risk.
• Poor fit or short preparation — if the original tooth preparation was too short or the crown did not fit precisely, it may never have been fully secure.
• Trauma — a blow to the face, biting unexpectedly on something very hard, or a sports injury can dislodge a crown.
• Sticky foods — repeatedly eating very sticky or chewy foods gradually weakens the cement bond.

If your crown keeps falling off repeatedly, there may be an underlying issue such as decay or an inadequate preparation that needs to be addressed rather than simply recementing each time. Your dentist should investigate the cause.

How Much Does It Cost to Refit a Crown in the UK?

The cost depends on whether you see an NHS or private dentist, and whether the original crown can be recemented or a completely new crown is needed.

NHS Costs (England, from 1 April 2026)

You only ever pay the single highest band charge per course of treatment, even if it involves multiple appointments.

12-Month NHS Guarantee: If your crown was fitted on the NHS within the last 12 months, recementation or replacement is free of charge — provided you return to the same practice and the failure was not caused by an accident or done against your dentist's advice.

NHS Costs Across the UK

NHS dental charges vary by nation:

Private Costs

Central London practices typically charge 20–30% more than practices outside the capital. For a full breakdown of crown pricing, see our dental crowns cost UK guide.

Free NHS Treatment

You may qualify for free NHS dental treatment if you are:

• Under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
• Pregnant or within 12 months of giving birth
• Receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• Named on an HC2 certificate (full help) or HC3 certificate (partial help) under the NHS Low Income Scheme

Full details are available on NHS.uk — Get Help With Dental Costs.

What to Expect at the Dentist

If the Crown Can Be Recemented

If the original crown is intact and the tooth underneath is healthy, your dentist can usually recement the crown in a single short appointment:

1. The dentist examines the tooth and the crown
2. Any old cement is cleaned from both the crown and the tooth
3. The tooth is checked for decay — an X-ray may be taken
4. New dental cement is applied and the crown is pressed firmly into place
5. Your bite is checked and adjusted if necessary
6. The cement sets within minutes

This is a straightforward, painless procedure. You can usually eat normally within an hour or two.

If a New Crown Is Needed

A new crown may be required if:

• The original crown is cracked, broken, or worn out
• There is significant decay underneath that needs to be treated first
• The tooth shape has changed (for example, after fracture)
• The crown no longer fits properly

A new crown typically involves two appointments. At the first, the dentist prepares the tooth and takes impressions (or a digital scan), then fits a temporary crown. The permanent crown is made in a dental laboratory over one to two weeks and fitted at the second appointment.

If the tooth underneath the crown is badly decayed or damaged, your dentist may recommend root canal treatment before fitting a new crown, or in some cases, tooth extraction.

How to Prevent Your Crown From Falling Off Again

Once your crown has been refitted or replaced, these steps will help it last as long as possible:

• Attend regular dental check-ups — your dentist can spot weakening cement, early decay at crown margins, or micro-cracks before the crown fails. The NHS recommends check-ups at intervals advised by your dentist, typically every 6 to 24 months.
• Avoid hard and sticky foods — ice, boiled sweets, toffee, caramel, and very crusty bread all place excessive stress on crown cement.
• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth — a custom-fitted occlusal splint for bruxism protects crowns from the sustained force of grinding and clenching.
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene at the crown margin — brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the crown and adjacent teeth with floss or interdental brushes. Plaque buildup at the margin causes the decay that is the most common reason crowns fail.
• Do not use your teeth as tools — opening packaging, biting nails, or chewing pens accelerates wear on crowns and the cement bond.
• Wear a mouthguard for contact sports — a custom mouthguard protects crowns from trauma.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my crown falls off?

Retrieve the crown and place it in a clean, dry container — not tissue. Rinse your mouth with warm water, manage any sensitivity with sensitive toothpaste applied directly to the tooth, and contact your dentist or NHS 111 as soon as possible. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the tooth until your appointment.

Can I use superglue to reattach a dental crown?

No. Never use superglue on a dental crown. It can bond soft tissue to the crown, prevent proper professional recementation, and mask underlying decay. Use over-the-counter temporary dental cement instead, available at Boots and most pharmacies for around £6.

How much does it cost to have a crown recemented on the NHS?

Crown recementation falls under NHS Band 2, costing £76.60 in England (from April 2026). If a completely new crown is needed, it falls under Band 3 at £332.10. If your crown was fitted on the NHS within the last 12 months, recementation is free at the same practice under the NHS guarantee.

Is a fallen crown a dental emergency?

A fallen crown is urgent but not usually a medical emergency. You should see a dentist within a few days. However, if you have severe pain, facial swelling, bleeding, or a visibly fractured tooth, seek urgent dental care within 24 hours by calling your dentist or NHS 111.

What happens if you swallow a dental crown?

In most cases, a swallowed crown passes safely through the digestive system without treatment. According to NHS guidance, intervention is needed in only 10–20% of cases. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing (which may mean the crown was inhaled), stomach pain, or blood in your stool.

How long can you go without a dental crown?

There is no fixed safe period, but you should aim to see a dentist within a week. The longer the tooth is exposed, the greater the risk of decay, fracture, and tooth movement. If you cannot get an appointment quickly, use temporary dental cement to protect the tooth.

Why does my dental crown keep falling off?

A crown that repeatedly falls off usually indicates an underlying problem — most commonly decay beneath the crown, an inadequate tooth preparation (the peg is too short), or bruxism (teeth grinding). Your dentist should investigate the root cause rather than simply recementing each time.

Can a dentist recement an old crown?

Yes, if the crown is intact and the tooth underneath is healthy, a dentist can clean both surfaces and recement the original crown. This is a quick, painless procedure. However, if there is decay, damage, or poor fit, a new crown may be recommended.

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A fallen dental crown can feel alarming, but it is a common dental issue with straightforward solutions. The most important thing is to keep the crown safe, protect the exposed tooth, and see a dentist promptly.

Need help finding a dentist? If you are looking for an emergency dental appointment or a practice accepting new patients, find a dentist near you through Dentists Closeby.