Today’s dental crowns work pretty well. You can trust them to protect and beautify teeth so long as they get proper care! That said, the fact remains that these dental caps won’t (and can’t) last forever. You’ll eventually need to replace them at a certain point. Luckily, your Boca Raton dentist can help you know when it’s time to switch. Read on to learn four key signs your dental crown should be replaced.
Your Gums are Receding
You should keep an eye on the pink tissues around your teeth. It may be time to replace your crown if your gums are receding.
You see, a receding gumline isn’t a good thing for dental crowns. It often indicates that a patient’s crown was improperly placed and isn’t working correctly. In that case, the crowned tooth is (still) at high risk of oral health problems. It could suffer from further decay or even develop an infection. So, the best way to avoid such outcomes is to replace the old crown with a new one.
Your Crowned Tooth is Aching
Oral pain isn’t always a sign of major issues. However, discomfort from a crowned tooth may mean you need a new dental crown.
Pain in a crowned tooth can indicate (among other things) a damaged dental crown. If this dental cap is broken or cracked, it can expose your pearly white to aches and bacteria alike. It’d then raise your odds of facing major mouth issues. Therefore, you should see a dentist if you feel pain when chewing with the tooth. It likely needs a new dental crown soon.
Your Crown Has Wear & Tear
If your dental crown looks worn out, that’s not just a visual matter. It could mean you need to replace the cap quickly.
Dental crowns don’t develop wear and tear for no reason. Many wear out over time from bruxism (i.e., teeth grinding) or very poor oral hygiene. With either cause, your crown is made less effective and can’t keep out harmful bacteria. You’ll then be more likely to develop a severe cavity or tooth infection. To defend against either condition, you should replace your dental crown.
Your Crown is Quite Old
Dental crowns can last quite a while when they’re well-maintained. Even so, they usually need replacement once they’ve gotten old.
The reason comes down to what happens over a crown’s lifespan. When a dental crown nears the ten-year mark, its odds of developing issues from wear and tear rise greatly. A dentist should closely monitor the cap at that time in case it needs replacing. Otherwise, your crown could easily chip or break and allow your tooth to suffer.
You’ll better protect your smile by knowing the signs your dental crown should be replaced. Keep them in mind as you look after your crowned tooth!
About the Author
Dr. Alberto Lamberti has a decade of experience helping people build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, where he remained to complete a Fellowship in Implant Dentistry. Now, he offers a comprehensive array of services to meet all your dental needs. He combines a caring approach with state-of-the-art technology to provide lifelike restorations to rebuild your smile. You can request an appointment on the website or call (561) 338-7535.