Signs Your Dental Crown Needs a Replacement

Dental crowns are an effective solution for restoring damaged teeth. Made from extremely durable materials, dental crowns in Columbus are designed to protect and reinforce teeth for several years to come—however, natural wear and tear can damage them over time.

When that happens, replacing your damaged dental crown promptly is key to restoring your tooth to optimal condition and preventing further decay. To help you achieve that, here are common signs that your dental crown needs a replacement.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are a long-term dental restoration technique to strengthen, decay, or damage teeth. Crowns are one of the best and most dependable methods for restoring a severely decayed or damaged tooth's appearance and functionality.

To get a crown, the teeth are shaped down to prepare for it. Then, an impression—either a digital or physical mold—is taken. When the crown is finished, it is bonded to the tooth.

Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, metal, or composite resin. Depending on the extent of the damage, a different may be recommended. Additionally, they can be tailored to various colors and shapes, making them incredibly helpful in various applications.

What Are Dental Crowns Used For?

A crown will protect your tooth while returning it to its natural form and function. Some common reasons to get a dental crown are:  

• Tooth Decay: In extreme tooth decay cases, a crown may be necessary if a cavity is too large for a filling.

• Replace Extremely Large Fillings: Crowns should be used to replace old fillings that are too big to be repaired. Otherwise, the fillings are more likely to break, and you may end up losing the entire tooth.

• Broken Tooth: A crown may be necessary to provide more robust protection for teeth with severe fractures.

• Root Canal Therapy: It's standard to get a dental crown after root canal therapy in a back tooth or molar. This helps prevent brittleness and discoloration from the lack of blood flow.

• On Top of an Implant: To complete the dental restoration, a crown, bridge, or denture must be fitted into the implant.

• Enhance Appearance: Crowns offer comparable colors and shapes that fillings might not be able to provide. Some patients might ask for crowns on their front teeth to maintain the tooth's consistent color.  

• Severe Teeth Grinding: Bruxism, or severe teeth grinding, can damage your teeth because they’re not constantly made to withstand the strength of your bite. To protect your natural teeth or restore them after wear and tear, zirconia bruxing crowns are recommended to provide extra durability.

What Are Some Signs My Dental Crown Needs a Replacement?

Dental crowns are highly durable restorations, but they don’t last forever. While you can extend the life of a crown by maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups, wear and tear can build up over time, requiring a replacement.

Recognizing the warning indications that your crown's lifespan may be approaching its end is crucial to preserve your oral health and prevent complications. By doing this, you may avoid the need for later, more involved, and expensive dental procedures.

Here are some important signs to look out for to identify any problems with your crown.

1. You Experience Pain or Swelling

An improperly placed or broken dental crown can cause gum swelling and constant toothache, so these symptoms indicate that it’s time to replace it.

When you eat or brush your teeth, pressure from an overly high crown can cause pain or swelling around the crowned tooth. Additionally, sensitivity may be due to a cavity or infection, often caused by broken or fractured crowns.

Depending on the level of damage, we can repair the crown or may need to replace it completely.

2. Receding Gum Line

Gum problems are more likely to occur when wearing dental crowns. Gums that are in good health surround the crown or visible portion of the teeth. If one does not maintain good oral hygiene, bacteria can collect between the gum line and the crown, resulting in gum disease or gum recession.

Gum recession occurs when the roots become visible due to the gums pulling away or receding. The crown may eventually fail, in which case the dentist may be forced to extract the tooth.

The crown's incorrect positioning is another factor contributing to receding gum lines. Even with good oral hygiene, this could make your gums feel sensitive, inflamed, or recede. So visit a dentist right away if you notice any of these signs!

3. Your Dental Crown Is Old

A dental crown’s durability depends on several factors, from the type of materials used to the tooth's location. Back molars are often subjected to more pressure, so these crowns may need replacement more often.

The average lifespan of a crown is about 10 years, but with proper care, they can last decades. How much of the natural tooth remains also plays a big role. Still, no matter what material is used, your crown may eventually chip with time. When this occurs, the crown seal can no longer be intact, so the crown will need to be replaced.

For that reason, it’s important to start keeping an eye on the quality of your dental crown once it reaches a decade old.

4. Wear and Tear

Dental crowns protect the teeth, but they are also prone to damage. Your crown may get worn down for a variety of reasons.

Bad dental habits are the most prevalent. They may result in crowns breaking, chipping, or cracking too soon. Teeth grinding, nail-biting, and chewing on ice are some behaviors that can lead to wear and tear.

Bad oral hygiene is another factor. Dental crowns made of ceramic metals require frequent brushing and flossing because they are prone to decay. If your crown looks worn out, you should see a dentist. They will replace it using the appropriate dental equipment.

5. Your Crown Is Damaged

There are several causes of crown damage. Damage may result from a car accident or contact injuries sustained in falls. Damage can also result from other behaviors like eating hard food and chewing on plastic or metal.

Additionally, the enamel beneath the crown may sustain damage from decay. As a result, your teeth become more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity, and the crown may eventually come loose.

When you brush or floss your teeth, you may notice a hole, the most typical sign of a damaged crown. Replacing it is the only solution in this situation.

6. Your Crown Is No Longer Aesthetically Appealing

While dental crowns offer enhanced functionality, they can also be considered cosmetic treatments. Therefore, disliking your crown's looks is another good reason for replacing it.

Your crown may eventually appear older and less natural-looking than more recent restorations. Additionally, the color of your teeth may have changed over time, making the crown stand out. In these cases, replacing the crown with one that matches your teeth is necessary.

Replace Your Damaged Dental Crowns in Columbus  

Dental crowns are a valuable restoration to ensure your teeth are as strong as they can be. However, they can sustain damage over time, and in these cases, prompt crown replacement is usually the only solution.

The fit of a dental crown on its tooth must be exact to prevent any bacterial plaque accumulation that may lead to tooth loss over time. For that reason, paying attention to any changes in your crown’s fit and look is crucial. If you suspect yours may need some changing, contact Spectrum Dental & Prosthodontics right away!