Less Than a Year After my Root Canal my Crown Continues to Come Loose. What Can I Do?

Question

My dentist did a root canal on my front tooth and I had to have it redone by an oral surgeon. My dentist put my crown back on but it eventually came loose and fell off. He put it back on again. It came loose, he put it back on but crammed it on hard and uneven that my gums swelled up. I went back and he fixed it. But it is not in right, I have a space between my front teeth, which I have never had before and the black top of the crown shows. Now less than a year later, it's loose again. I don't trust him to give me a proper evaluation when I go back in- any ideas what's going on?

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

The situation that you are describing sounds like you should probably have a new crown made. The "black line" that you are describing tells me that it is a partially metal crown. If there is sufficient tooth structure for you to have a new crown, I would specifically ask for an all porcelain crown. They are more aesthetic and have a higher bond strength than porcelain fused to metal crowns. If it is deemed that you do not have enough solid tooth structure for a new crown, then the best long term solution would be to extract it and place an implant. Find a dentist that you trust and allow him to evaluate the tooth and go over your options with you. Good luck.

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD · Answer

Quite often, retrofitting crowns can work and there isn't an issue. In your case, that is not true and likely simply needs to be remade. This time, ask for a bonded crown and not a cemented crown, as they stay on better.

Paul D. Kantor, DDS · Answer

I think the best thing to do here would be to remove the old crown, re-prepare/build-up the tooth structure underneath, and have a new crown made. Fitting an old crown back on a tooth can be tough, and it's clear it isn't going to work here.

Paresh B. Patel, DDS · Answer

It sounds like quite a bit of dentistry has been done on your front tooth.

	First a Crown, then a root canal and then an additional root canal to correct the first one.

	Once a Porcelain to Metal crown has a hole placed in it to access the center of the tooth for the root canal therapy the entire tooth and crown have been compromised. 

	I think you may need a new post and crown to adequately carry the load that will be placed on your tooth.

A Vandiveer Strait, DDS (Retired)- Acct. Suspended · Answer

If sounds like the first thing you need to do is get into good communication with your dentist as to what you are unhappy with and find out what he suggests and is willing to do. Sometimes a crown can be retrofitted very successfully on a tooth where an opening has been made in the crown in order to do root canal therapy, Obviously proper position and fit will be critical to the longevity and esthetics of this crown.

Less Than a Year After my Root Canal my Crown Continues to Come Loose. What Can I Do?

Answers (5)