With regular dental check-ups, your dentist will be able to perform an x-ray of your teeth to determine whether there is any damage or decay underneath your crown. In some cases, the dentist may need to conduct a more in-depth oral examination to identify whether there is a cavity.
Grey or Brown Spots in the Affected Area
Brown and grey spots around a dental crown can be a visible warning sign of a possible infection or tooth decay underneath the crown. These spots may resemble mold and should be addressed by a dentist as soon as possible.
To determine this, the dentist will usually use an x-ray. It will be up to him or her to know whether the teeth underneath are rotten or has any damage.
This metal makes it impossible for the tooth structure inside of the crown to be seen on a radiograph (x ray). When decay under a crown is small, it is often difficult to detect. On a radiograph (x ray), the x ray beam would have to be placed at precisely the right angle to see the decay.
You may need to have your crown removed and replaced to treat the decay under your tooth. Depending on the size of the decay your new crown may need to be made to cover a larger area. At Coastal Dental Care, we offer Same-Day Crowns using our CEREC technology.
It is not uncommon for tooth decay to develop beneath older crowns due to a breakdown in the bond or sealant after years of biting or chewing food. Dr. Knight will remove the existing crown to clean out the current tooth decay, replacing it with a new one once the tooth is fully healed and healthy again.
Inflammation or swelling of the gums around the crown area. Pain when chewing or biting down. Tooth sensitivity to temperatures (hot or cold) or sugary foods and drinks. Pain or tenderness in the areas surrounding the crown.
Dentists can not see through a metal restoration in an x-ray (whether it is a crown/bridge or filling), thereby inhibiting their ability to diagnose or determine if there is a problem underneath. However, they can still see the root of the tooth so an x-ray is still needed.
Though crowns are highly durable and protective, the tooth beneath the crown can still develop cavities and damage from decay. Decay beneath a crown can lead to many oral health issues, like sore gums, bad breath, infection, and even tooth loss or eventual extraction.
Dental crowns are meant to last anywhere from 5 to 15 years. However, they are not invincible to decay and they need proper care. Regular checkups allow Dr. Morris to examine the health of your crown, check for decay and evaluate any crown edges that may be leaking.
Is it normal for my tooth to look black under my crown? It's not supposed to darken. Most of the time, tooth discoloration is caused by bacteria getting in the dental crown. It can also be the result of an inadequate seal on the crown.
In some situations the original crown can be removed and re-cemented into place. New crowns might be required to meet your objectives for a healthy and beautiful smile. This new crowns are fabricated in the same way the as the original.
There could be tiny, hidden cavities that your dentist can't see during the traditional “pick” and x-ray exams. Left untreated, these cavities could turn into painful problems that can leave a hefty dent in your wallet.
Change in color
If the tooth is dead, it will often get darker in color, and a person may notice a yellow, gray, or black discoloration. A change in color usually occurs because the red blood cells are dying. This is a very similar effect to bruising.
Crowns can be used for a severely decayed tooth that can no longer be saved. Drilling the badly decayed section can often lead to cracks. Thus, protecting it with a crown can stop the decay from getting worse. When you misplaced any tooth in your mouth, the perfect treatment for proper restoration would be an implant.
Use dental floss or threaders around and underneath the bridge or crown. Wrap the floss around each tooth on either side of the gap, then slide it up and down to clean the area. Use mouthwash to rinse away bacteria, plaque, and food particles. Swish the mouthwash around your mouth for 30 seconds, and then spit it out.
Dr. Mobasser advises : Foul smell or Halitosis can usually originate from an ill-fitting dental crown or a root canal that has gone bad. First, depending on the infection, the root canal needs to be redone, and gum treatment plus a new porcelain crown must be renovated for the teeth with infection.
Sometimes, the crown may put extra pressure on the tooth nerves, which causes infection, ultimately leading to pain. Another reason why an infection can develop is leakage from old fillings under the crown introducing bacteria in that area. Some of the signs to observe are: Pain during biting.
“These areas aren't visible to us during a clinical exam, so the radiograph lets us view these areas.” He also explained that “there are lots of other things that we look for too; if there is calculus (plaque underneath your gums) visible on the film, that is a sign of gum disease.”
So, fillings and crowns that are made of metal, or wires placed during jaw surgery, those types of things, are what show as the BRIGHTEST white on the x-rays. 2. Holes and voids, however, because they are NOT thick or dense at all, show up as BLACK on the x-rays.
Crown removal is not a painful procedure, and it doesn't take long for your dentist to remove it. Your dentist will not even use an anesthetic to remove and add in the permanent crown.
Yet one myth about dental restorations persists: Crowns will not decay or develop cavities. While the restoration may not succumb to decay, bacteria can still get underneath to start this process. Neglecting dental hygiene or a damaged crown increase this risk.
Although dental crowns protect your tooth, problems can arise when the crown is damaged, loosened, or falls off. If a dental crown becomes compromised in any way, it may allow bacteria to become trapped underneath the crown which can lead to decay and another pulp infection.
There are cases where the cement may wash out from under the crown. This usually allows the crown to become loose. Bacteria can also leak in and cause decay to the remaining tooth. If the crown seems loose when a person chews or if there is an unusual odor around the tooth, a patient should contact a dentist.
The average lifespan of a dental crown
Dental crowns should last around 15 years with proper maintenance. If patients take good care of the crown, they can last up to 30 years. Crowns made of porcelain can endure anywhere from 5 to 15 years.