Dental crowns are used to improve the strength and appearance of your teeth. These are caps made to look like your teeth in appearance. They also extend the lifespan of your natural teeth.
Teeth crowns are often made of porcelain, but you can get them in other materials such as gold, silver, and stainless steel. These teeth caps, when fixed properly, can last for 10 to 15 years. What happens after the time has elapsed, replace them? Probably. Our dental crown dentist may recommend a replacement if the crowns are old or too worn out.
Signs That You Need Crown Replacement
As mentioned, dental crowns can last for a decade or more without the need for a replacement. Sometimes it may be obvious that the crown replacement time has come, such as when the dental crown falls out. But, other times it may not be that apparent. You need to pay attention to the signs of wearing and damage. Ignoring these signs could lead to damage and pain. Here are four signs that our Atlanta dentist needs to examine your crown.
- Age of the crowns. Teeth caps can last for up to 15 years with proper care. And, they may not have signs of damage or wear and tear. However, if the crowns have lasted for more than a decade, it may be time to get them replaced. Old crowns tend to be weaker and are prone to cracking. This will allow food particles to accumulate in the teeth and increase the risk of decay. It is important to have a dental examination if the crowns have lasted for more than ten years.
- Wear and tear. The commonly used dental crowns are porcelain. These are durable and stain-resistant. However, if you have bruxism or grinding/clenching of your teeth, it may cause the crowns to begin to wear. Sometimes, people who constantly grind their teeth have their crowns replaced within five years.
- Tooth decay. When you have cracks and tears on your crowns, food particles may sneak in underneath. This causes bacteria to build and attack your natural teeth. As your teeth decay, you may begin to experience sensitivity and tooth pain. Our dentist in Atlanta, GA, will perform a root canal treatment or use dental fillings.
- Pain and swelling. Anytime the dental causes the gums to swell and get sore, it is time to have them replaced. If the crown is broken and worn out, it may cause sensitivity and constant toothaches.
Receding gum line. There are great chances for plaques and bacteria to gather around the teeth crown. This will cause gum infection, which causes receding. - Cosmetic reasons. There are times you may need the teeth crowns replaced for aesthetic reasons. For instance, if the crowns are discolored and the color differs from the rest of the teeth.
What to Expect During The Crown Replacement?
The procedure for replacing the crowns will depend on the type of crowns you had. Temporary crown removal is straightforward. The dentist near you will use a soft adhesive to make it easy to remove the crowns.
Permanently crowns are, however, challenging to remove. The process may be more complicated than the first procedure. Here is what to expect:
- The dentist will first numb the gums to reduce discomfort.
- An adhesive may also be used on the permanent crowns to weaken the cement. At times, the dentist may use the old crown if it is not severely damaged. But, often a new set is fabricated, especially if the crowns are discolored.
- The teeth will be cleaned to remove debris and decay. A root canal procedure may be done to remove the decay.
- An impression of your teeth is taken again to make the crowns. This takes about four weeks, in the meantime, your teeth will be covered with temporary crowns.
- The teeth are fixed using the same procedure as the last set.
Book an Appointment
Is your dental crown showing signs of wearing out? Visit Creative Dentistry & Medspa. Dr. Anitha Reddy will assess your teeth and advise if your need a replacement.
Posted on behalf of Creative Dentistry & MedSpa