But, what many do not realize is that sometimes it is possible to get decay under a dental crown. This can happen if all of the infected tissue was not taken out of the root, or if the crown was not placed correctly, allowing bacteria to cause decay. If decay gets under a crown, it might need to be replaced.
Ignoring these signs could result in serious complications: Decay can become an infection that spreads into the tooth and throughout your mouth, possibly even reaching the jawbone. An abscess may develop near the crown. The tooth underneath the crown may need to be extracted.
Here are the signs of a tooth crown infection: Redness at or around the site of the crown placement. Swelling of the gums or jaw around the area that now has the crown. Tenderness or pain around the crown.
Although the crown itself cannot develop decay, the underlying tooth and root structures are still vulnerable to cavities. Once decay forms, it can progress quickly and migrate under the crown, which compromises the function of your dental restoration.
Many patients wonder if the tooth can still decay after treatment. Yes, the treated tooth can still decay. Even a root canal followed by a crown will not prevent the tooth from decaying.
Fixing a Cavity Under a Dental Crown
If a cavity is along the margin of a dental crown and does not go very deep into the tooth, it might be able to be fixed with normal dental filling material. In most other cases, the dental crown probably will need to be removed, the cavity filled, and a new crown placed on top.
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.
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.
Crown rot (Figure 2) is used to describe the disease when the pathogen affects the lower section of the trunk at the soil line, whereas root rot primarily impacts the tree root system.
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.
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.
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.
A dental crown can save your smile if you have a damaged or decayed tooth. Tooth crowns can last for many years, protect your oral health, and allow you to chew food without discomfort.
It may be that the crown has not bonded properly to your tooth, or has become infected due to improper placement. Either way, you should seek the attention of your dentist if pain persists or gets worse after two weeks.
When you are suffering from a tooth infection, you may want an easy solution, such as a course of antibiotics. However, antibiotics won't cure your tooth infection.
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.
Sometimes the size of the area affected by decay under crowns is relatively small. However, decay under a crown is always unpleasant, with the ability to cause severe damage. There may be brown and grey spots that one can see.
The grey tone is often associated with crowns placed on a metal post. However, there are other factors that may contribute to the grey color. When he references the core being more white, it is possible he is still using a metal post inside the tooth.
Treatment for a cracked tooth that has an artificial crown will first require removal of the crown. After the crown has been removed, the dentist will carefully inspect the tooth to locate any and all cracks. The tooth may need a root canal if it hasn't had one previously.
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.
At times the crown pressurizes the traumatized nerve, and infections occur. The infection can also result from old fillings beneath the crown leaking bacteria. Signs of infection include pain when biting, sensitivity to temperature, gum swelling, and fever.
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.
If your dental crown is too high or improperly positioned, that may result in moderate to severe pain in your tooth when biting down. If your bite feels off after getting a crown and you feel pain when biting down, you may want to consider asking a dentist if the crown is loose or if it needs to be adjusted.
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.