How do I care for my new dental crown?

What are dental crowns and what are they for?

A Dental crowns is a tooth shaped cap. It can restore the shape, size, strength and appearance of your tooth. Crowns can be made from various materials, including ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM dental crown), zirconia, and full metal. The type of crown used depends on the location of the tooth (front or back teeth) and your specific dental needs. Ceramic crowns are a durable and aesthetically pleasing option for restoring damaged teeth. 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 many teeth 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. 

Read more about how long crowns usually last, here.

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, please pay close attention to the crown and the teeth around it. Gum disease can shorten the lifespan of dental crowns. Proper oral hygiene is crucial to prevent gum disease and protect your crowns.

Go for routine dental cleaning

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

Wear a mouth guard 

If you grind your teeth at night or engage in contact sports, wearing a mouth guard can protect your crowned tooth and other natural teeth from damage. Learn about the different types of mouth guard at Dental Designs here.

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.

Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods

In the first 24 hours after getting your crown, avoid chewing hard, sticky or chewy foods that could dislodge or damage the crown. If you have a temporary crown while waiting for your permanent crown, take extra care and be gentle when brushing and flossing.

Related Articles

• How do I check if I have decay around my crown?
• How to decide what dental crown types is best for you?

What problems may occur with a dental crown? 

Discomfort or Sensitivity

You may feel some sensitivity or discomfort when the anaesthesia for the dental crown procedure 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. Read more about crown chips here.

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 dental 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 mouth guards to protect your teeth when playing sports. 

Poor oral hygiene

If you want to protect your dental crown, be sure to floss and brush regularly. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene and go for regular dental check ups as well.

Conclusion

The key thing to remember is: to always brush and floss your teeth with proper care and visit the dentist regularly. 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. 

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References 

1. 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