From the Guidelines
If you accidentally swallow a tooth crown, you will typically be fine as it will usually pass through your digestive system naturally within 24-72 hours. Most dental crowns are small and smooth enough to move through your digestive tract without causing harm, as they are designed to be biocompatible and non-reactive with bodily tissues 1. However, it's essential to contact your dentist right away to get a replacement crown made, as the exposed tooth can be sensitive and vulnerable to damage without its protective covering.
While waiting for your appointment, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and use temporary dental cement from a pharmacy if needed. In rare cases, if you experience severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or notice blood in your stool after swallowing a crown, seek immediate medical attention as this could indicate the crown has caused an obstruction or injury to your digestive tract. The management of dental trauma, including the handling of tooth crowns, is crucial in preventing further complications, as highlighted in studies on dental trauma management 1.
Some key points to consider:
- The digestive system is designed to move small, non-sharp objects through without complication 1
- Dental crowns are typically made of biocompatible materials that don't react with bodily tissues
- Immediate medical attention is necessary if symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or blood in stool occur after swallowing a crown
- Contacting your dentist to get a replacement crown made is essential to prevent further damage to the exposed tooth.
From the Research
Swallowing a Tooth Crown
- There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies focus on obstetric analgesia and anesthesia, pain management during labor and delivery, and opioid usage after cesarean delivery or gynecologic laparoscopy 2, 3, 4, 5, as well as premedication to reduce discomfort during screening mammography 6.
- These studies do not provide any information related to swallowing a tooth crown or its potential effects on human health.
- Therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive answer to this question based on the available evidence.