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6 Things to Do If a Car Accident Damages Your Crowns, Bridges, or Implants

8/22/2026 6:12:00 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 63



Dental restorations are built to last, but they're only designed for the everyday stresses put on teeth normally. In situations like a car crash where a lot of force is at play, such as when an airbag is deployed, porcelain crowns can crack, and bridges can become loose. The bone and tissue supporting an implant can even be damaged significantly.

The damage can be significant, but it is rarely initially very painful, meaning it's easy to overlook your injuries when dealing with more pressing matters, such as collecting witness statements or dealing with more painful, more noticeable injuries.

Rule Out Serious Injuries First

While damage to crowns, bridges, or implants can be significant, they're not the most pressing matter in the aftermath of an emergency. Before you worry about your teeth and seeing a dentist, get evaluated for the following kinds of injuries:

  • Head injuries

  • Neck injuries

  • Jaw injuries

A blow that's heavy enough to fracture a crown can also cause other serious injuries. Dental restorations can wait a day or two, but a head injury is a pressing matter that needs to be attended to immediately. While you will need to see a dentist, you should mention your teeth during any emergency room visit so that the records staff input there will include a record of the damage.

Look Into Compensation for the Cost

Dental insurance will sadly usually only cover a fraction of restoration work. If another driver caused the crash, their liability coverage may be responsible for the full cost, however. In addition, you might be entitled to further damages such as pain and suffering or lost wages.

The exact laws and regulations surrounding these things vary depending on the area. So, if the accident happened in Olathe or somewhere else in Johnson County, consider speaking with a car accident lawyer familiar with Kansas insurance rules. Local counsel can help you to document the impact of the crash, including the consequences to your bridges, crowns, and other artificial dental replacements.

Schedule a Dental Evaluation

See your dentist within a few days, even if nothing hurts. Restoration damage is often invisible. So while you might feel okay and your teeth might look okay, there could be significant damage hidden below the surface.

Crowns can develop hairline fractures that let in bacteria, causing decay that festers invisibly underneath. Bridges may also loosen at one abutment, breaking the all-important seal while still feeling stable to the touch. Implants can also suffer from micro-movements, damage to the abutment screw, and there could even be bone loss that only shows up on an X-ray.

You should ask for a full exam, including radiographs. And you might also get a recommendation for getting a cone-beam scan at the implant site. You should be prepared to explain how long ago your accident was and give a brief description of the impact, which will help the dentist diagnose any problems more accurately.

Document the Damage Thoroughly

Documentation is what drives your insurance claim. So even if the other driver is clearly at fault, if you didn't collect the right evidence and record it properly, then your claim may be disputed. You should take clear, well-lit photos of the damage to your teeth as soon as you notice it.

And you should supplement those photos with copies of X-rays from your dentist. Your dentist should also give you a written report on the findings of the exam upon request. While some dentists will include it by default, you might also need to ask for pre-accident dental records, which prove the damaged area wasn't damaged prior to the accident.

Follow Your Care Instructions

It's also very important that you follow the care instructions you get from your dentist carefully. Your dentist will likely place something like a temporary crown while a permanent replacement is in the works. And you can protect that temporary replacement by doing the following:

  • Stick to soft foods. Chew on the opposite side if possible.

  • Avoid anything sticky like caramel.

  • Floss by sliding the floss out sideways rather than lifting it up through the contact point.

  • Rinse with warm salt water if the tissue is irritated.

Don't Put Off a Cracked Restoration

Damage to a crown, bridge, or implant is risky, but in the aftermath of a crash, it's easy to forget about it. It's easy to put off a cracked restoration that's not causing any pain, but eventually it can turn into decay and infection or even the loss of the tooth beneath it. And that can happen within just a couple of months.

So it's important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Don't be too hasty in getting treatment before you gather the appropriate evidence. If you're interested in learning more about similar topics, see the rest of our article archives.




Category: Endodontics
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