Avoidable Problems That May Occur With A Dental Crown

Dentist Blog

A dental crown is used to cover and protect the natural crown of a tooth. The crown can be used in conjunction with many different applications, including the installation of a fixed bridge, a treatment involving root canal therapy, the placement of a large filling, or the repair of a tooth that has been chipped or cracked. 

Once a crown is in position, the tooth is protected and structurally reinforced, lessening the chance of infection or further damage. Still, although crown issues rarely occur, problems can arise if a crown is not properly cared for or the wrong crown material is selected. Here are a few avoidable problems that may occur after a crown is placed.

Crown Breaks 

Crowns that are made of porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal may crack or chip when exposed to extreme amounts of bite pressure. As a person grinds their teeth or bites down on a hard object, the pressure may be great enough to damage the dental ceramic material. 

People with porcelain or porcelain-over-metal crowns should exercise the same caution with their crowns that they would with their natural teeth. They should avoid chewing on hard items, such as ice and pencils. Additionally, if they suffer from bruxism, they should wear a night guard to protect their teeth from the pressure of grinding as they sleep.

Gum Recession Around a Crown

Many patients may prefer tooth-colored crowns because of their natural-looking appearance. However, regardless of a crown's material, when the top of a crown is exposed near the gum line, the device may appear artificial. 

A crown may fit flush against the gums when it is first placed. However, if the gums recede due to periodontal disease, the top of the device may be exposed. Even though a crown cannot decay, it is important to brush and floss around the device to prevent gum problems from plaque buildup.

If irreversible gum recession does occur, the original crown may have to be removed, and a larger crown may have to be positioned in its place. 

Crown Discoloration

Crowns that are made of resin may become stained by prolonged exposure to dark-colored foods and drinks. To avoid discoloration, patients can rinse their mouth with water immediately after ingesting a dark substance, limiting their crown's contact with dark pigments.

Erosion of Underlying Tooth Material

A pure porcelain crown may cause the wearing away of underlying and adjacent natural tooth material, especially for side and back teeth that are regularly used for grinding. If an erosion issue arises and a porcelain crown is still desired, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown may be selected. All-metal crowns are also appropriate but do not offer the natural look of a tooth-colored material.

For more information about dental crowns, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.

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29 June 2019

Fluoride: Why I Drink Tap Water

When the bottled water craze began, I jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else who was drinking water from bottles instead of from the tap. I wasn't sure why bottled water was healthier, but I liked the taste. When I went for my next dental check-up, I had my first cavity in a while, so I had it filled and didn't think much of it. Well, I had two more during my next check-up after that, and I began trying to think of why my teeth were suddenly going bad. The only change in my habits was the switch to bottled water, so I made the switch back to tap water and my teeth began to improve. I created this blog to encourage others who have begun getting cavities suddenly to look into their changes in habits. They may find they made a change similar to mine.