How Much Does It Cost to Reattach a Crown?

Typical recementation costs:

Most dental offices charge between $50 and $150 to recement a crown, with the national average around $75-$100. Some offices at the lower end of the range charge as little as $50; high-cost urban areas or specialty practices may charge toward the higher end.

There's often a pleasant surprise: many dentists will recement a crown for free or at minimal cost if they were the ones who originally placed it, especially if it's been less than a few years. This isn't universal, but it's common enough that it's worth asking. The rationale is that a crown that came off soon after placement may reflect on the dental work, and dentists want to make it right.

What's involved in recementation:

The appointment is typically quick—15 to 30 minutes. Your dentist will examine both the crown and the tooth. They'll clean any old cement and debris from inside the crown and from the tooth surface. If everything looks good, they'll apply new dental cement, seat the crown, have you bite down to ensure proper positioning, clean up excess cement, and check your bite alignment. Most of this is painless and doesn't require anesthesia since the nerve is protected inside the prepared tooth.

Insurance coverage:

If you have dental insurance, recementation is often covered as a minor procedure. However, there may be waiting periods, and coverage varies by plan. Some plans consider it part of crown maintenance; others may apply it to your annual maximum. Check with your insurance before your appointment if cost is a concern.

The crown is damaged:

If the crown is cracked, chipped, or broken, it cannot be recemented. You'll need a new crown. Depending on the type of damage, your dentist may be able to temporarily recement the damaged crown while a new one is made, but it's not a permanent solution.

There's decay underneath:

This is one of the most common reasons crowns fall off. If bacteria got under the crown edge and caused new decay, the tooth has changed shape, meaning the crown no longer fits. The decay must be removed, and depending on severity, you may need a new crown to fit the now-differently-shaped tooth, a build-up or core (to replace lost tooth structure) before a new crown, or in severe cases, a root canal if decay reached the nerve, followed by a new crown.

The fit is compromised:

Even without decay, crowns can lose their fit over time. The cement wears away at the margins, the tooth structure beneath may have changed slightly, or gum recession may have altered the relationship between crown and tooth. If the crown doesn't fit precisely anymore, recementing creates a seal that won't last.

New crown costs:

If you need a new crown rather than recementation, expect to pay $800 to $3,000 or more. Cost varies based on material (porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, zirconia, or gold), location (urban areas and high-cost regions are more expensive), whether additional procedures like build-ups or root canals are needed, and your dentist's pricing. A new crown typically requires two appointments: one for preparation and impressions, another 1-3 weeks later for placement. You'll wear a temporary crown in between.

Step 1: Find and save the crown:

If you didn't swallow it, locate your crown. Rinse it gently with water to clean off any food or debris. Store it somewhere safe—a small container or zip-lock bag works well. Even if you're not sure it can be recemented, your dentist will want to examine it.

If you did swallow it, don't panic—it will pass through your digestive system harmlessly. But you'll definitely need a new crown.

Step 2: Call your dentist:

Contact your dental office as soon as possible. Explain that your crown came off and ask how quickly they can see you. Many offices will work you in promptly for this type of issue.

Step 3: Protect the exposed tooth:

The tooth underneath your crown has been shaped (prepared) specifically to fit the crown. Without its protective covering, it's vulnerable to sensitivity (hot, cold, and air can be uncomfortable), damage from chewing (the prepared tooth is weaker without the crown's protection), and additional decay (the exposed tooth surface is less resistant to bacteria).

Temporary solutions while waiting:

Over-the-counter dental cement (such as Dentemp or Recapit), available at most pharmacies, can temporarily hold your crown in place. Clean both the crown and tooth, apply the temporary cement to the crown's interior, and press it in place. This is a temporary measure—it's not as strong as professional cement and won't last long.

Do NOT use super glue, Krazy Glue, or any household adhesive. These products can damage both the tooth and crown, leave residue that's difficult to remove, prevent proper professional recementation, and potentially cause chemical burns to oral tissues.

If you can't temporarily recement the crown, keep the tooth clean, avoid chewing on that side, and try to see your dentist as soon as possible.

Good oral hygiene:

Even though the crown itself can't decay, the tooth underneath can. Brush twice daily and floss carefully around the crown margins, where the crown meets the tooth. This junction is where decay most commonly develops.

Avoid problematic foods:

Sticky foods like caramels, taffy, and gummy candies can pull crowns off. Hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candy can crack them. Be mindful of these, especially in the first days after recementation.

Wear a nightguard if you grind:

Teeth grinding (bruxism) puts enormous stress on crowns and can loosen them over time. If you grind your teeth, a custom nightguard protects your investment.

Keep up with dental checkups:

Regular checkups allow your dentist to monitor your crown, catch problems early, and address issues before they lead to crown failure.