Your tooth has sustained damage or is decaying beyond the capabilities of a dental filling, and your dentist has recommended a crown. A dental crown a tooth-shaped “cap” which is used to cover the damaged tooth to restore its size and shape, strength, and appearance. When placed properly, a crown fully encases the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line.
The following situations may require a dental crown:
- To protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold parts of a cracked tooth together
- To restore a tooth that has been severely worn down or broken
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover and support a tooth with an extremely large filling
- To cover a dental implant
- Make a cosmetic modification
- To cover a misshapened or severely discolored tooth
How to Care for My Temporary Dental Crown?
Temporary dental crowns are a temporary fix until a permanent crown is ready. While the temporary crown is in, dental professionals suggest a few precautions that include:
- Avoid sticky, chewy foods as they have the potential of grabbing and pulling off the crown
- Minimize the use of the side of your mouth with the temporary crown
- Avoid chewing hard foods as they could dislodge or break the temporary dental crown
- Slide rather than lift dental floss when cleaning between your teeth to avoid pulling off the crown.
What Problems Could Develop with a Dental Crown?
Immediately after the procedure, your newly crowned tooth may be sensitive as anesthesia wears off. Heat and cold sensitivity can be experienced if the tooth with a crown still has a nerve in it. If you feel pain or sensitivity when you bite down, that typically means the crown is too high on the tooth, in which case you need to call your dentist.
Crowns made of all porcelain or porcelain fused to metal can occasionally chip. If it’s a small chip, a composite resin can be used to repair it while the crown stays in your mouth. However, this is usually a temporary fix. If the chip is extensive, the crown will likely need to be replaced.
Crowns can come loose as cement can sometimes wash out from under the crown. This also allows bacteria to lean in and cause decay to the tooth that remains. If your crown feels loose, it is imperative to call your dentist.
Sometimes crowns fall off. Reasons include decaying of the underlying tooth and loosening of the cementing material used to place the crown. If your crown comes off, clean the crown and the front of the tooth. You can replace the crown temporarily using dental adhesive or temporary tooth cement that is sold in stores for this purpose. Contact your dentist’s office immediately.
An extremely rare problem that can occur with dental crowns are allergic reactions, as the metals used to make the crowns are usually a mixture of metals.
If you have any questions or concerns about dental crowns, please call Dr. Silva at Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville at (610) 489-5555
