Dental Crowns – Marshall, TX

Dental crowns aren’t technically permanent. However, they are a long-term solution for damaged teeth. In fact, they can protect your tooth for anywhere between 5 to 15 years. When your dentist reshapes your tooth for a crown, that procedure is irreversible. Tooth enamel doesn’t grow back after it has been removed. For this reason, the tooth will always need to be protected by a crown going forward. That being said, crowns protect the underlying tooth from additional damage, so they can help the tooth to survive for much longer than it would have otherwise. You can keep your crown in great shape by maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine and seeing your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups.

The only way to tell for sure when a dental crown needs to be replaced is to have X-rays taken or to have it visually examined by a dentist. Here are some of the most common warning signs that indicate that a dental crown is at the end of its lifespan:

• Pain:  If there is any decay beneath the crown, it should be removed so the tooth can be treated.
• Unstable:  If your crown feels loose, especially when chewing something sticky, you should contact your dentist.
• Appearance Changes:  If your crown is chipped or discolored, it can negatively affect your self-confidence. This is a valid reason to have it replaced.
• Dark Line:  If you notice a dark line around the base of your dental crown, it is often because you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. While they are very effective, this can indicate that the crown has been through some wear and tear.

Many patients worry that their treatment will be painful. Fortunately, the first step is always to numb the area with a local anesthetic. This way, you won’t feel a thing! Your mouth may exhibit some soreness for a few days after your treatment, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us. Remember that crowns protect vulnerable teeth from damage, so they can help prevent pain in the future.

Within a few days of getting your dental crown, it should start to feel more and more natural. Crowns are made from durable materials that can stand up to everyday chewing forces just as well as your tooth enamel, so you shouldn’t feel any strangeness when eating. When you get a dental crown, your dentist reshapes the tooth to ensure that the restoration fits comfortably in your mouth. Additionally, each crown is customized based on impressions. Ultimately, your crown should feel just like a natural tooth.

Dental crowns use man-made materials, so they can’t get cavities. That said, the teeth underneath them still can.

You see, a crowned tooth can decay like an uncrowned one. Poor oral hygiene could let plaque form around your gumline, steadily building up over time. Bad bacteria would then reach beneath your crown and further decay your tooth.

Given these facts, you should remember to practice good oral care. You can prevent cavities in crowned teeth by brushing twice daily, flossing once daily, and seeing your dentist often. From there, you won’t have to worry about surprise instances of tooth decay.

So long as it’s placed by an experienced dentist, a regular dental crown is quite safe. Treatment won’t harm your teeth, gums, or the rest of your mouth, nor will the cap itself.

For starters, the dental crown process won’t compromise your oral health. Your final restoration will make up for the enamel lost during treatment. That way, you won’t have a higher risk of tooth sensitivity or infection than you did before.

At the same time, today’s dental crowns use proper materials. Metallic ones don’t contain mercury; they won’t give you any toxicity issues. Similarly, crowns made of ceramic and porcelain are also 100% toxin-free and shouldn’t cause problems.

Of course, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Call us right away if you experience any gum irritation, redness, etc. When you have such symptoms, you may be facing an allergic reaction.

Note that a qualified dentist will only suggest a dental crown when you really need one. That being the case, putting off treatment would be risky for your tooth and oral health.

Remember, a damaged tooth without a dental crown is exposed to outside forces. Leaving it alone means it’ll suffer from chewing forces, food debris, and bacteria. If that should happen, the tooth will become so compromised that you’ll need a root canal or an extraction.

To avoid the need for expensive care, try to get a dental crown soon after your dentist suggests it.

Sadly, dental crowns can’t be directly whitened through dental work. Treatment would leave them the same color as before, no matter their material.

The issue comes down to how whitening works. On uncrowned teeth, bleaching gel can enter your enamel’s tiny pores and break apart surface stains. In contrast, dental restorations like crowns lack pores for the gel to pass through. That means they can’t be affected by the whitening process.

Still, you can work around the crown-whitening problem. The best option is to get your teeth whitened before having a dental crown placed. That way, your final crown will match your smile’s preferred shade.