Dental crowns are made to last but, just like every other type of restorative dentistry, accidents can happen, problems can develop, and you may find yourself needing a replacement for your original restoration. Can this issue be avoided? Sometimes. Here’s what you need to know if you’re wondering whether it’s time to replace a porcelain crown.
The Life of a Dental Crown
If you have a good oral hygiene routine at home and see your Fort Lauderdale dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and checkup, your porcelain crown can last for decades. This dental restoration is designed for longevity, to stand up to wear and tear, and stay firmly bonded to your tooth.
Unfortunately, complications can occur. Accidents, injury, biting down wrong on a food, or the age of a crown can all impact the strength and lifespan of a crown. Even if the restoration was put in place for cosmetic purposes only, it’s important to know that there may come a day when it’s time to replace a porcelain crown.
Reasons to Replace a Porcelain Crown
Conscious and unconscious actions can both affect the health of a dental crown. Some of the main reasons people need to have this restoration replaced include:
- Teeth grinding: Grinding and clenching your teeth can be disastrous, leading to cracked and broken teeth, gum recession, and damaged dental work, including porcelain crowns. A customized night guard can stop this problem immediately but if damage has already been done, it may be necessary to replace a porcelain crown to prevent further complications.
- Teeth whitening: You want to whiten your teeth, but you have a porcelain crown that matches the natural color of your teeth. The professional bleaching treatment is powerful but it isn’t the kind of formulation that can alter the shade of porcelain. In cases like this, you’ll need to talk to your dentist about replacing the crown to match your newly bleached tooth enamel.
- Food choices: Do you have a weakness for Cracker Jacks? Do you chomp on ice regularly? What you eat and drink – especially energy drinks and soda – impacts the condition of your teeth and biting down wrong can break a crown in an instant.
Signs Your Dental Crown Is Damaged
If you are feeling like something might be wrong with a crowned tooth but you’re just not sure, the best thing to do is visit your Fort Lauderdale dentist, even if you just had a teeth cleaning or are due for one in a month or two. Don’t wait – it’s essential to get any potential dental problems taken care of in real time so they don’t become even more complex to treat.
Here are just some of the signs that it might be time to replace a porcelain crown:
- The tooth is obviously damaged.
- You’ve been in an accident or taken a blow to the mouth.
- You have a toothache where your porcelain crown is.
- The gums around your crowned tooth are swollen or red.
- There is gum recession around the tooth with the crown.
- You have an uneven bite.
Replace a Porcelain Crown in Fort Lauderdale
Crowns are designed to protect the tooth underneath them. If this responsibility is compromised, problems will result. Get your crown looked at today. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Charmaine Johnson at Premier Smile Center in Fort Lauderdale.
