Broken or lost crown: same-day repair options in Brooklyn 11229
Your crown fell off or shattered — what now? Most cases can be repaired same-day. Here are your options and what to expect.
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First — protect the tooth
A dental crown is the white cap covering a treated tooth (after a large filling, root canal, or implant). When a crown comes off, the tooth underneath is exposed — and that tooth is usually structurally compromised. Without protection, it can:
- Crack further or split
- Become extremely sensitive to temperature
- Get bacteria into the exposed nerve or post
- Move slightly out of position, making future re-cementing impossible
Your immediate priority: protect the exposed tooth and find the original crown if you have it.
What to do in the next 24 hours
Steps before you get to the dentist
- Find the crown. Check your mouth, the food you were eating, the floor. If you swallowed it — don’t worry, it’ll pass naturally and we can make a replacement.
- Clean the crown. Gently rinse with warm water. Inspect it for damage.
- Clean the underlying tooth. Carefully brush the exposed tooth with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly.
- Use temporary dental cement if you can. Drugstores (CVS, Walgreens, Duane Reade) sell over-the-counter temporary dental cement (“Dentemp” or “Refilit”) for under $15. Mix it per the instructions, apply a thin layer inside the crown, press the crown back onto the tooth.
- Avoid chewing on that side. Soft foods only until we see you.
- Call us same-day. (718) 368-3368. We’ll fit you in.
Three same-day repair scenarios
Scenario 1: Re-cement the original crown ($150–$300)
If the crown is intact and the underlying tooth structure is healthy, the simplest fix is to clean both, apply professional-grade dental cement, and re-seat the crown. Takes 20-30 minutes. Most insurance plans cover this. Lasts as long as the original cementing — often years.
This works when: the crown popped off because the cement gave out (usually 5-10 years after original placement), the tooth underneath is intact, and the crown itself is undamaged.
Scenario 2: CEREC same-day replacement crown ($1,200–$1,800)
If the original crown is broken, damaged, or the underlying tooth has decay that needs addressing, we can fabricate a brand-new porcelain crown in one 90-minute appointment using CEREC technology. Digital impression → in-office milling → bonding. No temporary crown, no second visit. Most insurance plans cover 50-80%.
Scenario 3: Two-visit traditional crown ($1,000–$1,500)
For complex cases (deep decay needing build-up, root canal needed first, posterior molars requiring lab-fabricated stronger materials), we take an impression, place a temporary crown, send to lab, you return in 2-3 weeks for permanent placement.
When the tooth itself is damaged
Sometimes a crown comes off because the tooth underneath has broken — not because the cement failed. Signs of this:
- The crown has a chunk of tooth still inside it
- The remaining tooth is very short, sharp, or jagged
- There’s pain when you tap on the tooth or bite
- The tooth feels loose
In this case, simple re-cementing won’t work. Options:
- Post and core + new crown — if there’s enough root structure, we can build the tooth back up with a post inside the canal, then make a new crown ($500-800 for post-and-core + $1,200-1,800 for new crown).
- Extraction + replacement — if the tooth can’t be saved: extract, then implant + crown ($3,500-5,000 total), bridge, or partial denture.
We discuss all options with you before any work starts.
Insurance and costs at a glance
Typical out-of-pocket costs (after typical 50-80% insurance coverage)
- Re-cement existing crown: $50-150
- CEREC same-day replacement crown: $400-700
- Traditional lab-fabricated crown: $400-600
- Post and core + new crown: $700-1,100
For Medicaid patients (HealthFirst, Affinity, AmeriGroup, EmblemHealth, MetroPlus) — crown coverage varies by plan; we verify before treatment. For uninsured patients, CareCredit 0% APR financing is available.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just leave my crown off for a few days until I can come in?
Not recommended. The exposed tooth can crack further, shift position, or get a new cavity in 24-48 hours. Use over-the-counter temporary cement to keep the crown on until your appointment.
Is CEREC really same-day?
Yes. One 90-minute appointment: scan, design, mill, bond. You leave with the permanent crown. We’ve been doing CEREC since the practice opened in 2018.
What if I swallowed my crown?
It will pass through your digestive system naturally and harmlessly within 24-48 hours. We can make a new crown — call us same-day.
Why do crowns come off?
Most common reason: original cement breaks down after 5-10 years. Other causes: new decay under the crown, chewing very sticky food (caramel, taffy), trauma to the face, grinding/clenching at night.
Does CEREC last as long as a lab-made crown?
Studies show CEREC and lab-fabricated crowns have similar long-term success rates (15-20 years average). The materials are equivalent.
Will insurance cover replacing a crown that fell off?
If the original crown was placed more than 5 years ago (typical insurance “replacement clause”), yes. If less than 5 years, coverage may be reduced. We check before treatment.
Get same-day emergency care now
Mon–Fri 9am–7pm. Walk-ins welcome. Russian, Polish, Ukrainian spoken. Medicaid + 18 insurance plans accepted.
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