When you have teeth that are beyond repair, a crown is an ideal solution. However, while effective for replacing an otherwise damaged-beyond-repair tooth, dental crowns can and do crack a little easier than a regular tooth would. Whether you were chewing a piece of hard candy, were hit in the mouth with something, or otherwise took a hard hit to your dental crown, you should check it immediately for signs of cracks. If you do find one, there are specific steps you should take to protect your smile. Here's a look at the steps you should take if you discover you have cracked a dental crown. 

Examine the crown closely in the mirror to determine the damage. 

Immediately after you suspect you've cracked a crown, you should assess it thoroughly. Take a look in the mirror and see how severe the crack is, whether it runs the entire length of the tooth vertically and if there is any danger of part of the crown falling off. If there are multiple cracks, you should be really careful because the pieces could fall out in your mouth while you are eating or even while you sleep. Singular cracks are a little less worrisome, but should still be examined further for their severity. 

Determine if the crown is loose because of the crack. 

In a lot of cases, when a dental crown cracks, at least part of it will be loosened from the underlying tooth it is attached to. Use your finger or tongue and gently push against the crown to determine if it is loose or moveable. If it is, you need to get in touch with your dentist immediately to have the crown repaired. A loose crown could fall out completely, which can lead to issues with sensitivity because the damaged tooth beneath is exposed. 

Use temporary filling to hold the crown in place if you need to. 

If you reach out to the dentist and they cannot get you in right away to repair the crown, pick up some temporary filling at the drug store. Use tiny pieces of the material to temporarily bond the crack in the crown. If you are experiencing sensitivity where the crack is, having the temporary filling in place will help prevent pain. However, this can also help prevent losing pieces of the crown because food particles get pushed into the crack in the crown. 

To learn more, contact a dentist like Kyle J Frisinger DMD.