- Crowned baby teeth usually loosen and fall out on their own, with the crown still attached.
- Baby molars, the teeth most often crowned, typically fall out between about ages 9 and 12.
- Call the dentist if a crown comes off, a tooth stays too long, or you see swelling or a gum bump.
If your child has a crown on a baby tooth, it is natural to wonder what happens when it is time for the adult tooth to come in. Will the crown get in the way? Will the dentist need to remove it? In most cases, the answer is simple: the crowned baby tooth loosens and falls out on its own, just like any other baby tooth.
The short answer
Yes. A crown on a baby tooth is cemented to that tooth, so the two act as one unit. When the adult tooth underneath starts to push up, it naturally dissolves the baby tooth's roots. The tooth gets wobbly and eventually comes out, with the crown still attached.
This is true for both stainless steel crowns and tooth-colored zirconia crowns. It is also true for teeth that had a pulpotomy or pulpectomy before the crown was placed.
How baby teeth fall out
Baby teeth are designed to be temporary. As each adult tooth develops, it slowly breaks down the roots of the baby tooth above it. A crown covers only the part of the tooth you can see, so it does not stop this process.
usually start to loosen around ages 6 to 8.
, the back teeth that most often get crowns, are typically lost between about ages 9 and 12.
Every child is different, so a few months early or late is common. Your child's dentist can check progress on X-rays at regular visits.
Why put a crown on a tooth that will fall out?
Some baby molars stay in the mouth until age 10 to 12, so a crown on a young child's tooth may need to last many years. Crowns are often recommended when a cavity is too large for a filling, after nerve treatment, or when a tooth is weak or broken. A crown protects the whole tooth so your child can chew comfortably, and it helps the tooth hold space for the adult tooth underneath.
What's normal when a crowned tooth is getting loose
a loose crowned tooth may wobble for weeks before it comes out, just like an uncrowned one.
the gum around a loose tooth may be a little sore or bleed slightly when brushed.
your child can wiggle it gently with clean fingers or their tongue. Avoid forcing out a tooth that is not ready.
continue brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, including gently around the loose tooth.
Once the tooth is out, some families like to keep it, crown and all, for the tooth fairy.
What if the crowned tooth doesn't fall out?
Occasionally, a baby tooth stays in place longer than expected. This can happen whether or not the tooth has a crown. Common reasons include:
and is not dissolving the baby tooth's roots evenly.
which some children are born with.
a condition dentists call ankylosis, which can keep the tooth from loosening.
Your child's dentist will use an exam and X-rays to decide whether to keep watching or to remove the tooth so the adult tooth can come in. If a baby tooth is lost or removed much earlier than expected, a space maintainer may be recommended to save room for the adult tooth.
What if the crown comes off, but the tooth doesn't?
Crowns on baby teeth are made to stay put, but sometimes one comes loose or falls off while the tooth is still firmly in place. If this happens, save the crown if you can and call your child's dentist. They will check the tooth and decide whether the crown can be recemented or the tooth needs another treatment. If your child may have swallowed the crown and has no trouble breathing, call the dentist or pediatrician for advice. If your child is coughing, choking, or having trouble breathing, seek emergency care right away.
Do crowned teeth affect the adult teeth?
A well-fitting crown on a baby tooth is not expected to harm the adult tooth developing underneath. In fact, keeping a healthy, crowned baby tooth in place until its natural time helps guide the adult tooth into position. Untreated decay or infection in a baby tooth is a greater concern, which is why treating it matters.
For young children who need several crowns or fillings, many families choose to have all treatment completed in one visit under general anesthesia. At littleGRINS, this care takes place in a hospital or surgical-center operating room, with a board-certified medical anesthesiologist caring for your child throughout. See our guide to what to expect before and after surgery.
When to call a pediatric dentist
Call your child's dentist if a crowned tooth is loose much earlier than expected, an adult tooth is coming in while the baby tooth is still firmly in place, a crown comes off, or you notice swelling, a pimple-like bump on the gum, a fever, or pain that does not improve. If your child's dentist has recommended crowns or other extensive treatment, request a free consultation with littleGRINS. We'll review the treatment plan and explain how care under sedation works at a location near you.
This article is general information and does not replace an exam by your child's dentist or pediatrician.
Published by the littleGRINS pediatric dental team. This article is general information and does not replace an exam by your child's dentist.