Do this right now
Find the crown and keep it
Rinse it and put it in a small bag. A crown that is intact can usually be re-cemented.
Cover the tooth
Dental wax or sugar-free gum over a sharp or sensitive spot. Pharmacies sell temporary crown cement if you must reseat it — a dab inside the crown, press on, bite gently. Never super glue.
Keep the area clean
Brush gently and rinse with warm salt water after eating.
Call (530) 406-1730
We fit you in the same or next day; same day if the tooth hurts.
Do not
- Super glue or household adhesives
- Chewing on that side, sticky or hard foods
- Leaving a crown off for weeks — the teeth drift and the crown stops fitting
- Swallowing the crown: if it happened, tell us; usually harmless, but we check
Go to the ER instead of us if
- You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Swelling is spreading to the eye, under the jaw or down the neck.
- Bleeding will not stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure.
- There was a blow to the head with confusion, vomiting or loss of consciousness.
- Fever over 101°F (38.3°C) with facial swelling.
We are open Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 2 PM and are not a 24-hour clinic. The nearest ER is Woodland Memorial Hospital, 2000 Sutter Place — or call 911.
What we do at the visit
Check the tooth underneath
We look for decay or a crack — the usual reason a crown loosens.
Re-cement, if the crown and tooth are sound
Ten minutes, no numbing. Done.
Replace, if not
A new filling, or a new crown with a temporary fitted the same day. The fee is written down before we start.
What it costs
The emergency exam and X-ray fee is quoted when you call. Any treatment is priced in writing before it starts, and nothing is done without your OK. Most PPO plans cover emergency exams; monthly plans through CareCredit and Cherry. We do not accept HMO plans or Medi-Cal.
Request a same-day call
Three details and we call you. If it hurts badly, calling is faster: (530) 406-1730
Questions people ask
Can a crown that fell off be put back?
Usually, if the crown is intact and the tooth under it is sound. If decay loosened it, the tooth is cleaned and a new crown made.
Does it hurt when a filling falls out?
Often the tooth is sensitive to cold and sweet. Sharp pain when biting means the tooth may have cracked — call the same day.
How much does it cost to re-cement a crown?
Re-cementing an intact crown is a small fee, quoted when you call. A new crown or filling is quoted in writing after the exam. Most PPO plans cover part of a replacement.
Can I use temporary cement from the pharmacy?
For a day or two, yes — clean the crown, a dab inside, press it on. It is not a fix; the crown still needs to be properly cemented by us.
Other dental emergencies
Emergency dentist near: Davis · West Sacramento · Dixon · Winters · Esparto · Knights Landing