Getting a dental crown for any reason should be considered a NYC smile makeover, including a replacement restoration. The question is: When should a dental crown be replaced? There are many factors to consider and your Manhattan cosmetic dentist delivers answers for your unique smile.
Dental Crowns: Made to Last
Porcelain crowns are made to last, especially when accompanied by proper dental care at home and regular visits to your dentist. They’re not supposed to wear out quickly or fall off your tooth. They are, in fact, expected to last 15 years or more.
However, crowns can fail, often due to wear and tear or an accident or injury. Sometimes, this restoration needs to be replaced because it’s been in your mouth for too long and endured too much.
In short, porcelain crowns do not last forever, even under cosmetic circumstances. Say, for instance, that you undergo a professional teeth-whitening treatment but one tooth stands out, unwhitened. If it’s a crown, it needs to be edited to suit the new you.
Reasons Porcelain Crowns Fail
Both conscious and unconscious habits are responsible for causing crowns to fail. Two of the biggest reasons include:
- Teeth grinding. Teeth grinding and clenching is a disastrous habit that can cause serious side effects like cracked and broken teeth, gum recession, and – yes – damaged dental work, like severely worn crowns. The behavior is unconscious, but it can be deterred with a customized night guard.
- Consuming hard or acidic foods. What you eat influences the health of your teeth and your dental restorations whether you like it or not. A heavy reliance on energy drinks or a habit of crunching on ice can break or corrode the crown. Simply watching your diet can impact crown longevity.
Signs It’s Time to Replace a Crown
You’re not a dentist, you don’t know when it’s time to replace a crown. Your Manhattan cosmetic dentist knows, though. After a dental examination and a careful look at the tooth in question, it will be easier for him to determine the next steps. Not sure if you’re in a position to need a restoration restored? Here are some signs it’s time to replace your dental crowns:
- You have a toothache where the original crown was placed.
- There is obvious damage to the tooth.
- You suffer dental trauma or injury.
- Your bite seems uneven or off.
- Area around the tooth with the crown is inflamed or swollen.
- There is gum recession around the crowned tooth.
The Importance of Replacing a Bad or Old Crown
Dental crowns conceal and protect. They are meant to make vulnerable teeth strong and make unsightly teeth attractive. When that purpose is no longer being fulfilled, it’s time to make a replacement. A damaged or compromised crown, especially if it is surrounded by a gum infection or other problem, will only lead to serious dental problems and invasive dental care.
It’s better to have a problem tooth looked at now, especially if you suspect a dental crown of failing, and have it dealt with before things get more complex. Never wait when you have a dental problem, whether it’s cosmetic or restorative – getting help now saves you from bigger trouble later. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael J. Wei in Midtown.
