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Most dental restorations from our Grand Rapids, MI, dentists are designed to last for a significant period of time, although not forever. Unfortunately, even with proper care, everyday life can still catch up with restorative solutions like dentures, dental bridges, and yes, porcelain crowns.
But when is the right time to replace a dental crown? Our dentists will first need to perform an oral examination to see exactly what the issue is before determining next steps. If there is obvious damage and or you are experiencing pain where your original crown was placed, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
Here’s what you need to know about the longevity of dental crowns and when you should have them replaced.
No one wants to undergo a restorative procedure only to have what’s placed quickly deteriorate soon after. Fortunately, dental crowns can last up to 15 years, or sometimes longer, if proper oral hygiene is practiced. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily will keep plaque from building up and causing damage to your crown(s).
Read More → 6 Easy Tips for Preventing Cavities
The lifespan of a crown is also dependent on an individual’s diet and whether there is excessive grinding or clenching of teeth. When you consume hard or acidic foods and beverages, you risk either breaking or corroding the crown. Avoid early replacement by watching what you eat and sip on throughout the day.
Much like the types of foods eaten, if you have a history of bruxism, it will affect how long your crown lasts. Regular grinding or clenching at night will lead to the crown becoming worn faster than it would if the habit didn’t exist. Our dentists can provide you with a custom made night guard so you and your teeth don’t suffer from the effects of bruxism.
Unless you recently experienced obvious dental trauma or injury, it can be difficult to tell when your crown is on the way out. Some signs are more apparent than others, so it’s wise to keep an eye on how your crown looks and feels. If anything feels off, let our dentists know so the issue can be dealt with promptly.
If you have a crown that hasn’t been tailored to match the precise contours of your mouth, it can lead to bite misalignment. Not only will the tooth wearing the crown experience discomfort, but surrounding teeth and the jaw may as well. Our dentists often have patients coming in with improperly fitted dental work from a previous practice so you’re not alone if this sounds like your situation.
What can manifest as a subtle annoyance when biting down can become a constant source of discomfort that affects your daily life and oral health. We will gladly re-fit you for a new crown, so you don’t have to endure the consequences of an “off” restoration.
Dental crowns are meant to protect the vulnerable tooth they’re covering. If they can no longer fulfill that purpose, it’s time to have the crown swapped out. Leaving a damaged dental crown in place or one surrounded by infection can put you at risk for unwanted oral complications and more intensive dental work.
For example, if you develop a cavity underneath a crown, our dentists will need to remove the crown to fill it or the decay will spread deeper into the tooth. Moreover, neglecting the issue further can lead to root canal treatment being required. Having a crown replaced is much more straightforward, comparatively.
Whether your crown became cracked after munching on candy or you had it placed many years ago, don’t put off necessary treatment or you may face larger consequences down the road.
Continuing to go through life with a broken, old, or infected crown is not recommended. Our dentists in Grand Rapids, MI, would be more than happy to replace your affected crown and treat any underlying oral health issues you may have. Call Contemporary Family Dental today at (616) 209-3969 to schedule an appointment or feel free to contact us online.
This blog post has been updated.
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