How do I care for my new dental crown?

What are dental crowns and what are they for?

Dental crowns are caps that cover over your tooth. It can be used to restore the shape, size, strength and appearance of your tooth. There are various reasons for getting a new dental crown, such as: 

1. To restore a broken tooth
2. To protect a tooth weakened by decay to prevent further damage
3. To hold a cracked tooth together 
4. To cover a stained or discoloured tooth 
5. To cover a tooth with a large filling which doesn’t have much tooth left
6. For cosmetic reasons 

Read more on how dental crowns help with a cracked tooth.

How long do dental crowns last?

Dental crowns can last about 10 - 15 years. How long a crown can last largely depends on the amount of wear and tear of the crown, and how well you care for the crown with good oral hygiene habits. Other factors like grinding or clenching teeth, or using your teeth to open things can also affect how long your dental crown lasts. 

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How do I care for my new dental crown? 

Floss and Brush

To prolong the lifespan of your new dental crown, remember to floss and brush regularly. When brushing your teeth, pay close attention to the crown and the teeth around it. 

Go for routine dental cleaning

Make appointments for regular dental checkups with your dentist for routine dental cleaning. 

Wear a mouthguard 

If you play sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and prevent damage. 

Avoid bad habits 

Avoid using the tooth with the crown to bite down on hard foods like nuts and seeds. Also avoid using your teeth as a tool to open packaging. Grinding or clenching of your teeth is also not recommended if you want your new crown to last longer.

What problems may occur with a dental crown? 

Discomfort or Sensitivity

You may feel some sensitivity or discomfort when the anaesthesia for the new crown wears off. If the tooth with the crown has an intact nerve, you may feel some sensitivity to hot or cold foods. In this case, you may want to use toothpaste specifically meant for sensitive teeth.

There might also be pain when you bite down, and this normally signifies that the crown is too high on the tooth. In this case, you may wish to visit your dentist to fix the issue. 

Chipping and cracking

Crowns made from porcelain or porcelain fused to metal may chip. If it is just a small chip, the dentist can use composite resin to repair the chip. If the chipping is substantial, the crown may need to be replaced.

Loosening of the crown 

The cement may be washed off from under the crown, which causes the crown to loosen. Be careful as this may allow bacteria to seep in and cause decay to the tooth. Contact your dentist to fix your crown if it is loose.

Crown falling off 

Crowns may fall off for various reasons such as decay of the tooth or loosening of the crown. If the crown comes off completely, clean the crown and also the tooth that the crown was covering. You may wish to replace the crown temporarily using dental adhesive or temporary tooth cement. However, you should also visit your dentist to re-cement the crown in place properly or get a new crown. 

Allergic reactions 

Some metallic crowns are a mixture of metals that can cause allergic reactions in some people, but this is rare. 

When will a crown need to be replaced?

Chipping and cracking 

There may be chipping or cracking when you bite down on hard foods with your crown. If the chipping or cracking is extensive, you may have to replace your broken crown with a new one. 

Injury 

Physical trauma and injury may damage your crown, so be sure to wear mouthguards to protect your teeth when playing sports. 

Poor oral hygiene

If you want to protect your crown, you should floss and brush regularly. 

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Conclusion

The key thing to remember is: always brush and floss your teeth. Good oral hygiene can go a long way in keeping your dental crown intact. If you have any issues with your new crown, seek help from your dentist. You may wish to contact Dental Designs at +65 6221 8284 for any dental issues or visit our website for more information.

References 

1. Blumer, S., Costa, L., & Peretz, B. (2019). Success of Dental Treatments under Behavior Management, Sedation and General Anesthesia. The Journal of clinical pediatric dentistry, 43(6), 413–416. https://doi.org/10.17796/1053-4625-43.6.9 
2. Lynch, C. D., Hale, R., Chestnutt, I. G., & Wilson, N. (2018). Reasons for placement and replacement of crowns in general dental practice. British dental journal, 225(3), 229–234. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.541