Crown feels loose? Here’s what to do today — and when it’s urgent.
Tooth crown feels loose (or came off) — what it means, what to do, and how we fix it
Quick answer: if your crown feels loose, avoid chewing on that side, don’t try to pull it off, and don’t use superglue. Many crowns can be re-cemented if the tooth and crown are intact — but we need to check for decay, cracks, bite issues, or gum problems first.
Clear options. No rushing. No pressure. Comfort and patient control come first — and we only proceed when you’re comfortable.
341 Birmingham Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B43 7AP
Dr Rikki Dhody
Calm, honest care — led by the same dentist throughout
First: is the crown loose, or has it come off?
A) Crown feels loose but won’t come off
- Avoid chewing on that side (especially hard/sticky foods).
- Don’t try to pull it off — you can crack the tooth underneath.
- Book an appointment so we can check the tooth, the fit, and your bite.
B) Crown came off completely
- Keep the crown safe (rinse it gently and store it in a small container).
- Avoid chewing on that side; the tooth may be sensitive.
- Book in promptly — teeth can shift and make re-fitting harder.
Book urgently today if you have swelling, severe pain, a bad taste/pus, fever, or the tooth feels broken under the crown.
Why would a crown become loose?
- Cement breakdown over time (common).
- Decay under the crown — the tooth can shrink/soften and the crown loses grip.
- Bite/occlusion issues or grinding/clenching that repeatedly “lifts” the crown.
- Tooth crack or fracture under the crown (can make it feel wobbly).
- Fit issues (rare, but possible if margins were never ideal).
Key point: re-cementing is only safe if the tooth and crown are sound — otherwise it can mask a bigger problem and fail again quickly.
How we fix a loose crown
What we check: we inspect the crown and tooth for cracks or decay, check the bite/occlusion (a common reason crowns keep coming loose), assess gum health, and where needed take an X-ray to check what’s happening under the crown.
Common outcomes
- Re-cement the crown if the tooth and crown are intact and cleanable.
- Adjust the bite so it doesn’t keep loosening.
- Repair/replace if the crown is damaged or the fit is no longer reliable.
- Treat decay first if there’s decay underneath.
- If the tooth is cracked, we’ll explain your options clearly (and the likely long-term outcome).
Guide price: Re-cementing a crown is typically £79 – £104 (final cost depends on complexity and what we find).
Temporary crown fell out — what should I do?
Temporary crowns are meant to be removable and they can come off more easily than a permanent crown.
- Keep it safe and bring it with you.
- Avoid chewing on that side and avoid sticky foods.
- If the tooth is very sensitive, book in promptly.
Important: teeth can shift slightly — the sooner it’s reviewed, the easier it is to re-fit.
What if it’s a veneer that feels loose (or came off)?
Veneers can sometimes de-bond. If yours feels loose or has come off, the best thing is to keep it safe and let us assess why it happened.
- Don’t glue it yourself — it can affect the fit and bonding.
- Bring the veneer with you if it has come off.
- We’ll assess the bonding surface, bite, and any wear/grinding factors.
Not sure if it’s an implant crown instead?
If your “crown” is attached to an implant (not a natural tooth), the advice and fix can be different.
What patients say
After years of dental problems, I opted for All-on-4 implants. I was a bit nervous at first, but the procedure was easier than I thought. Now I have a full set of teeth that feel just like my own. I can smile and eat without a second thought. It’s made such a difference to my daily life.
Robert Hall
20. January, 2025.
I had a missing tooth for a while and decided to get a dental bridge. The procedure was simple, and the dentist made me feel at ease. Now, my smile looks great again, and I can eat without any discomfort. I’m really happy with the result!
Peter Clark
20. January, 2025.
I was a bit overwhelmed by all the denture options, but the dentist guided me through each one. I chose full dentures, and I’m so pleased with how they fit and feel. I can finally smile without worrying, and they’ve made such a difference to my confidence.
John Miller
20. January, 2025.
Getting braces was the best decision I made. My teeth are finally straight, and I couldn’t be happier with the result. The whole process was smooth and the dentist was very helpful.
Daniel Smith
20. January, 2025.
Had composite bonding done and I’m really pleased with the outcome. The dentist was professional, and the process was smooth. My teeth look great now. Highly recommend it!
James Carter
20. January, 2025.
I couldn’t make it to the dentist, so I tried a home visit. The dentist was great – really friendly and made everything simple. It felt just like being at the clinic, but at home. Definitely recommend it!
Sarah Thompson
20. January, 2025.
I booked for a consultation with this dental surgery for a smile makeover, since I wasn't happy with my smile. Dr Rikki recommended Ceramic braces for me and then whitening to spruce up my smile. I’ve just completed my brace treatment and whitening, and the results are fantastic. My teeth are straight and white, and the process was far more comfortable than I had imagined. The team at this clinic was incredibly supportive and answered all my questions throughout the treatment. I’m so pleased with the outcome and would highly recommend Ceramic Braces to anyone considering straightening their teeth, it is a quick way to straighten ones teeth.
Eulalia Tristany
4. October, 2024.
I've been going to this dentist for almost a year now initially it was just to clean my teeth and do regular check ups and I was really happy with how kind everyone was and the quality of the treatments. After a while I wanted to do teeth whitening but didn't know anything about it or the process. I had a consultation with them and they ran through the treatment, cost and everything I needed to know. After a few weeks of using the gels my teeth were considerably whiter and I was receiving compliments from my family and friends on my smile. After a while they suggested I consider veneers for two pegs on the top of my teeth, they also do a monthly instalment and after a few weeks considering it I decided to do it and was very happy with the results. It looks very natural and matches my teeth perfectly and made me a lot more confident with my smile and was getting compliments from a lot of people shortly after getting it done. Would definitely recommend coming here everyone is very welcoming, friendly and professional and I've never had any complaints with any of the treatments
Hassan Joof
1. October, 2024.
The teeth whitening service at this clinic is outstanding. My teeth are now a natural, beautiful shade of white that doesn’t look fake or overdone. Ana made sure I was comfortable throughout the process and provided excellent aftercare advice and booked me in for my 2 months upodate. Since the treatment, I’ve received countless compliments on my smile. I highly recommend whitening at with this surgery. The process and Ana's continous support while we are on the whitening journey is what gets you the results. for anyone looking for professional teeth whitening.
Kwame Nartey
24. September, 2024.
I had been in excruciating pain since Thursday! I had been seen by a different dental practice who told me I had a dental abscess and needed antibiotic treatment before anything could be done. However, my pain got unbearably worse over the next 3 days despite taking a concoction of painkillers. I rang around 3 other dental practices who said the same thing 'can't touch it until infection gone'. Feeling absolutely fed up and distraught, I decided to search for an emergency dental service, and Dr. Rikki came to my rescue! He was so caring, attentive to my individual needs, very professional, and had such humility it left me feeling humbled that people like him exist. My journey from my call to 'The Dentist' till today where my problem has been alleviated has been a journey worth sharing! I will certainly be recommending Dr. Rikki and his wonderful team to all my friends and family!
Kiran Kumar
1. July, 2024.
My sister-in-law needed extractions doing at home as she is wheelchair bound. The dental doctor and his assistant were very friendly and caring, also very good at what they do. Very comfortable prices, clean and tidy equipment, and wouldn't hesitate to use this practice again. Thanks for everything you have done.
Peter Jones
17. June, 2024.
Excellent customer service and inspiring entrepreneurial backstory. I received professional advice and effective treatment which relieved my tooth pain quickly. I definitely recommend getting your dental treatments from here!
Sharean Graham-Watson
13. June, 2023.
Affordable, professional, and quick! I needed my lower wisdom tooth out and had to wait 12 months on the NHS. It kept getting infected, so I sought private treatment. I was nervous about coming as the prices seemed cheaper than other places I had looked. It was a really positive experience. I was asked if I had any questions and told about pricing. The dentist even took my tooth out the same day, which was so convenient as I have limited childcare. The dentist was kind and efficient, and I was emailed detailed aftercare instructions. Would highly recommend!
Rachel
19. May, 2023.
I was in a lot of pain, the only dentist I had tried all day who would see me. I got quite emotional as I was in a lot of discomfort on the phone, but once there, I was dealt with promptly, friendly, and very understanding. The dentist was great too—explained everything, very friendly, and it was over very quickly. Aftercare was explained well too. I would highly recommend this dentist; every member of staff I spoke to was lovely.
Jane Higgins
26. September, 2022.
Decided to invest in teeth whitening. Not cheap but well worth the investment. I have had many compliments, and I'm only halfway through the treatment! I would highly recommend this service! Also taken my 11-year-old son here—he was very happy too! Have recommended 'The Dentist' to friends and neighbours.
Angela Pearson
27. April, 2022.
Was in so much pain for a few days. Tuesday morning at 9 am, called lots of dentists explaining I was in pain, but because I wasn't registered with them, they didn't give me the time of day. Very annoyed and in pain, I came across The Dentist, called them explaining I wasn't registered, but they managed to give me an emergency appointment at 2 pm. When I arrived, the dentist was very helpful and advised me the best course of action. Today, I received a call from one of the staff who work there; she called to check up on me and to see if the situation has improved. Honestly cannot fault this place; the service was very good. Thank you 😊
Ismail Mushtaq
19. January, 2022.
Cannot fault this dentist. Rikki and Ana made me feel at ease, explained all of the options, and are super nice people. They helped me cure my gum disease quickly and then continued with pain-free dental implants, which has given me back my confidence. No long waiting for appointments, and communication from them is excellent and professional. They also offer a great teeth whitening service. I seriously can't stop smiling; I am so happy with my treatment and would highly recommend The Dentist to anyone, and in particular to nervous patients like myself. Thank you, Rikki and Ana; you 100% met my expectations 🙂
Marie Green
24. July, 2021.
I cannot rate The Dentist highly enough; they were so helpful, kind, and understanding, fitting me in for treatment and consultation at very short notice to have a front tooth fixed the day before my sister's wedding. I will definitely be using them again and would recommend them to anyone. Thanks again for all that you helped me with.
Anna Jerman
19. July, 2021.
After 2 years having no confidence with my bridge and teeth in general, I am currently halfway through my treatment. I have had a bridge fitted on my front teeth that is perfect 😍 I can actually smile again. I had 3 root canals and am having the last stages and excited to get my crowns fitted. I am excited to see the end result. I will be having all my future work done here as they are very thorough and take pride in their work.
Leena Miah
3. November, 2020.
I am absolutely petrified of the dentist but I was made to feel relaxed and comfortable. This man is a miracle worker as he took my tooth out and I haven't had any pain since, not even from where the tooth came out from. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who is scared of the dentist.
Emma Jones
28. November, 2019.
I called these guys last night in severe pain at 8 pm, just to enquire about prices. I was booked in for 9 pm and back home by 10 pm (even with a 20-minute drive!). I am not a big fan of the dentist, but the gentleman that dealt with me was polite, professional, and friendly. He explained everything from start to finish and answered any questions that I had. I would definitely use this company again in an emergency! Thank you.
Anthony Nicholas
23. May, 2019.
An absolute fantastic team at 'The Dentist'. Extremely patient-centred and professional. Aesthetic treatments such as veneers and teeth whitening are great value for money, and I'm so pleased with the results. The opening times as well are very useful for those working long hours, so overall could not recommend or praise more highly. Thank you.
Zarah Shakeel
2. November, 2018.
FAQs
My crown feels loose but won’t come off — what should I do?
Avoid chewing on that side and don’t try to pull it off. Book an appointment so we can check the tooth, the crown fit, and your bite.
Can a loose crown be re-cemented?
Often, yes — if the crown and tooth are intact and there isn’t decay or a crack underneath. We need to clean and assess properly before re-cementing.
Loose crown, no pain — is it urgent?
It can still be time-sensitive. A loose crown can trap food and bacteria and may loosen further. It’s best to get it checked promptly.
Crown fell out — can you put it back on?
Sometimes. If the crown and tooth are in good condition, we can often re-cement it. If there’s decay, damage, or poor fit, we’ll explain the safest next step.
What if it’s a veneer that came off?
Keep it safe and book in. Re-bonding can be possible if the veneer is intact, but we’ll check the bonding surface and bite first.
Crown loose or came off?
Call now, book online, or message us — we’ll guide you to the right option. No pressure — just clear advice and time to decide.
