Three Dental Crown Issues To Know

A dental crown provides you an option to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be pulled. Crowns are used to protect cracked teeth or those that have been treated for extensive decay. Crowns are also the preferred repair following a root canal procedure. There are some issues with crowns that you must be aware of. Some issues occur during the fitting processes, while others can lead to discomfort and other issues down the road if you don't recognize and treat them promptly.

1. Sensitivity

Sensitivity is mainly an issue in the initial stages. After the repairs are made to your tooth, a temporary crown is fit in place while the permanent crown is being constructed. You may need to wear this crown for a week or two. Since temporary crowns don't fit perfectly, there is often some of the repaired tooth exposed. Your tooth may experience some temperature sensitivity due to the work done. Avoiding extreme hot or cold foods until the permanent crown is fitted can help.

There may also be some sensitivity once the permanent crown is fitted. This usually results from a crown that was made a bit too large compared to the size of your natural tooth. In this case, it may rub against your gums uncomfortably and cause some discomfort. Let your dentist know, as this is an easy fix that can be completed with filing and polishing the crown.

2. Adhesion Loss

A crown is cemented in place with a special dental cement. This cement is made to last for many years. If for any reason the crown comes loose, though, there can be a problem. Bacteria can work their way beneath a loose crown, causing decay to attack the tooth within. Always have loose crowns looked at by your dentist.

If the crown comes off completely, save it in a cup and call your dentist immediately. It is much less expensive to re-attach your old crown rather than having a new crown made to fit your tooth.

3. Chips

Crowns are made of strong porcelain, which does make them fairly resistant to chips and cracks. However, they are not immune. If you notice a chip, contact your dentist immediately. Small chips can typically be repaired, using similar methods as those used for a tooth filling.

Multiple cracks over the surface of the crown are not repairable, but fortunately, this isn't a common occurrence. Don't ignore these if they occur. Much like a loose crown, bacteria can make their way into the cracks and cause decay on the tooth within the crown. A replacement crown will be necessary.

Contact your dentist if you have more questions about your dental crown.