Dental Crown Advice: Common Dental Crown Problems and Remedies

Your dentist will likely recommend a crown when there isn’t enough tooth structure left to support a filling or inlay. Dental crowns are also a safe and excellent solution when your tooth has been significantly weakened by a crack, previous dental work, etc. Dental crowns reinforce a damaged tooth and prevent it from further damage. 

Dental crowns are created from many materials, but North Bay Smiles in Petaluma, California, prefers porcelain because of its durability and natural appearance. While porcelain dental crowns can last up to 15 years, sometimes problems can crop up before they are due for replacement. Dr. Yvonne Szyperski shares common dental issues and how to address them.

Common dental problems

The fit and longevity of your crown depend on many factors, including the dentist’s skills, biocompatibility, dental health, material used, and oral hygiene. If any of these aspects are compromised, your dental crown will give in before its expiry date. 

These are common issues you will likely experience with your crown.

• Loose crown: Several reasons can cause an ill-fitting crown, including poor placement, compromised tooth structure, and dental trauma. When cemented to your tooth, your crown becomes stable, but you should see a dentist immediately when it becomes loose. If the crown is in good shape, it can be re-cemented for a solid fit
• Tooth decay: Your dental crown can’t suffer from decay, but the tooth underneath is vulnerable to cavities. Decay is more likely to crop up at the point where the crown meets the gum line, so always be thorough when brushing or flossing around this area
• Tooth sensitivity: It’s common to experience sensitivity after the crown placement because it involves shaving down the enamel. However, if this discomfort doesn’t go away after a week or so, it means there is another problem like the crown not covering the entire tooth. Always visit a dentist to find out the reason for prolonged sensitivity
• Broken crown: Teeth grinding (bruxism) and dental trauma from sports and car accident injuries can result in chipped, cracked, or broken crowns. Minor chips are repairable, but significant damage will require replacement

If you need dental crown services in Petaluma, CA, whether placement, repair, or replacement, please call (707) 306-8001 to reserve an appointment with North Bay Smiles.