Don't Allow These Problems To Affect Your Dental Crown

You might not even notice or think about a dental crown once it's in place. Dental crowns are meant to last for many years and can become permanent fixtures for some people. You have to take care of your crown to make it last a lifetime, however. If you experience any of the below problems with your dental crown, the sooner you get help from your dentist the easier it will be to deal with. Read on to find out more about some common problems that can affect your dental crown.

The crown is loosening – When you eat hard or very sticky foods, crowns can loosen up over time. This then leads to bacteria and decay and more extensive dental procedures to correct those issues. If you can wiggle your crown around at all, the dental cement is no longer doing its job. See your dentist before more damage is done.

The crown is marred by a dark line – The type of crown you choose can affect several aspects of use and appearance. Some crowns appear to be porcelain but are a layer of porcelain over a metal alloy. While this mix helps strengthen the tooth for more long-lasting use, the metal can show through at the gum line. This does not present a problem for many, but it can mar the appearance of the smile for some. The solution is to replace the porcelain-metal blend with ceramic or a plain porcelain crown.

The crown has cracks or chips – Crowns are made of various materials and all of them have their benefits and precautions. Porcelain provides a much sought-after natural look, for example. With this preferred look can come issues with the strength of the tooth, though. Porcelain crowns backed by a metal alloy are stronger, but porcelain is not meant to be as strong as a natural tooth. Depending on the size of the chip, your dentist may be able to make a repair using dental resin. In some cases, crowns with large chips or cracks must be replaced.

The crown covers a decayed tooth – The natural tooth underneath a crown needs to be protected from the bacteria that cause decay. Crowns are impervious to decay but if you don't use good oral hygiene habits the tooth underneath becomes decayed. There are few alternatives but to remove the crown when that happens. That usually means a new crown must be fitted after the decay has been removed.

See a family dentistry professional as soon as possible is vital if you experience any of the above or other issues with your dental crown.

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