Your crown may be “artificial,” but the supporting tooth underneath still needs routine oral care to stay healthy and sound. Even though the crown extends over the entire tooth surface, you still need to brush the crown carefully to remove sticky plaque film and to keep the crown looking its best.
Schedule a Cleaning Every Six Months
And since the margins of your crowns may tend to accumulate more plaque than other areas, it's important to have them professionally cleaned. Otherwise your tooth with the new crown could unnecessarily be predisposed to gum disease or decay.
Although many factors determine how long your crowns last, good after-care dental crowns can last for approximately 15 years before they need replacing. To prevent your dental crowns from failing when you least expect them, we recommend you replace them after every ten years.
The average lifespan for a well-maintained dental crown is typically around 15 years. However, when taken care of properly, it is common to see them last upwards of 25-30 years.
However, what patients may not know is that tooth decay under a dental crown is still possible. Like natural teeth, not maintaining proper oral hygiene and allowing bacteria and plaque to accumulate is why tooth decay under a dental crown is an issue.
If you're someone with dental implants or a dental crown, we generally recommend not using an electric toothbrush at first. The vibration of an electric toothbrush has been known to loosen people's crowns and the retightening process can be difficult.
Keeping a dental crown clean
Patients with a dental crown as part of an implant should use a soft-bristled toothbrush no less than twice a day. As for the type of toothpaste, it is important to select a non-abrasive formula. The individual needs to brush around and under the dental crown as much as possible.
Thinking you can slack on regular oral care when you have dental crowns? Even though you now have dental crowns over one or more of your teeth, you still need to take care of your teeth. That includes brushing them exactly how you would a normal tooth.
Dental crowns can last up to 25 years with good oral hygiene, but that does not guarantee that it will never become loose. Bad habits like teeth grinding, chewing on hard things or eating lots of sticky foods can weaken the grip of the dental cement and lead to the crown becoming loose.
And while crowns can be long lasting, they are subject to the same kinds of wear and tear as our teeth, and they do fall out. There's usually no need to panic, but you should be sure to see your dentist as soon as possible.
Answer: Unable to floss after crown cemented
There are two reasons this is happening. Either there is excess cement between the crown and the adjacent tooth, or the contact is very tight. Both have an easy solution. You will need to go back to your dentist and have them see what the issue is.
Brush your teeth and crown gently twice a day, for two minutes. Floss at least once daily, and be sure to slide the floss around the sides of your teeth and crown (making a C-shape) rather than snapping floss in between your dentitions and restorations – snapping and pulling can dislodge your crown.
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.
An odor originating from your crown is usually a sign that there is bacteria growth or an infection related to your crown. This bacteria can spring up due to a failed root canal or a crown that doesn't fit properly whether it is loose, cracked or there is a gap between adjacent teeth.
However, sometimes a cavity starts underneath a crown, and it no longer has a tight “seal” over the tooth. In other cases, a dental crown wasn't designed correctly and doesn't touch the adjacent teeth the way it should. Without a contact point, there's an open space that can easily collect food.
Damage to the underlying tooth is one of the main reasons crowns need to be replaced. Other than that, there is no specific type of toothpaste you have to use for dental crowns. Most general kinds of toothpaste are fine, with the possible exception of whitening toothpaste.
An over the counter fluoride rinse (ACT, Crest Complete Care, Listerine Total Care) is also recommended for daytime use. With effective, consistent care – your crown and surrounding tooth structure should remain healthy for a long time.
Supersmile toothpaste is safe for cosmetic dental work. Most toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch the surface of porcelain veneers or ceramic crowns—but not Supersmile. It will help keep your dental restorations white.
Very often, (especially if the crown isn't regularly flossed), plaque will accumulate at the intersection of crown and tooth (which is usually at gum level), and it is here where the cavity can begin.
Usually there is metal underneath the porcelain or the crown is made entirely of metal. 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.
Oral bacteria are tricky little rascals, and they can make their way underneath a crown, particularly if the person does not have good oral hygiene. When these bacteria get underneath the crown, they begin to convert any sugars that make their way into the crown to acids that eat away at enamel.