Looking After A New Dental Crown
Crowns are regularly used to restore badly damaged or decayed teeth. Here’s how to maintain them.
The first option available to dentists, when a tooth has started to decay or where there is damage to it, is to use a filling. This is a good option that works especially well where the damage is relatively minor. Where there is more damage or decay though, it may be decided that a crown, or a ‘cap’ as it is sometimes called, should be used instead as it will not only provide a more aesthetically pleasing solution in many cases, but will offer a greater degree of strength and functionality as well.
In order to attach a crown to a tooth, the tooth will need to be shaped so that the crown can securely be attached to it using a special dental adhesive. Impressions will then be taken of the prepared tooth, or teeth, and a crown will be prepared at a special laboratory from this. During this period, a temporary crown will be fitted to protect the tooth. Finally, when the crown has been returned to our Ipswich dental practice, the temporary crown will be removed and replaced by the permanent one.
Longevity
Once attached to a tooth, modern tooth crowns can last for a very long time. Some estimate this as being between ten and fifteen years, but a lot will depend on how well you take care of it and the tooth that it is attached to. Poor care could result in its failure much sooner, and good quality care could add many years on to the higher figure just mentioned.
Taking a little extra time to look after your new crown then, can give you many extra years of life from it.
The crown
The crowns that we provide at the Foxhall Dental Practice are usually made from porcelain or ceramic. These are the most common, and although gold crowns are occasionally used, this is usually an aesthetic option chosen only by those with deeper pockets, for obvious reasons. Because they are made from artificial materials, crowns will not decay and are largely resistant to damage although this can happen in extreme situations. Generally though, it won’t be damage to the crown that causes issues where this occurs, but problems with the tooth that it is attached to.
Cleaning a crown capped tooth
You should certainly brush the crown properly as this will remove residual bacteria and any surface staining, keeping it looking natural. Particular attention should be paid to the natural tooth it is attached to as well.
Failure to brush and floss a capped tooth may mean that decay occurs. If this, or any damage such as a breakage, occurs, then the crown may no longer fit as securely. Although it may not become detached immediately, it may happen a little further down the road. If you become aware of any damage to that tooth, you should contact us as soon as possible to see if it can be restored with the current crown in place. Leaving it longer may cause further damage and a new crown may be needed.
If you notice that the crown feels loose or is causing even minor discomfort, these are signs that there may be a problem and you should contact us for further advice. Similarly, ongoing sensitivity or soreness of the gum in that area needs checking too.
Good quality brushing then, and also the use of floss will help to keep your tooth in good health, and the crown attached. You should also, of course, make sure to see the dentist and hygienist at our Ipswich dental clinic on a regular six monthly basis.
Detachment
Crowns should very rarely become detached from the tooth. If this does happen, it is generally either due to decay or damage or perhaps, towards the end of its life span as the adhesive starts to weaken.
In the rare event that a crown does become detached, it is important that you don’t try to reattach it yourself. The adhesive that dentists use is specially designed for this purpose. Most household adhesives have corrosive elements in them which may be harmful to the tooth and lead to damage that renders the crown useless. Even if you were to find some dental adhesive, you should still not do this yourself as it is important that a crown fits securely and that there are no small gaps left where bacteria could enter and lead to tooth decay.
We hope that you find today’s blog useful and that it helps you to maintain a healthy tooth crown. If you would like to speak to us about an oral care issue, or to make an appointment with the dentist or hygienist, please call the Foxhall Dental Practice today on 01473 258396.