Avoiding decay The most effective way to keep the tooth under a dental crown healthy and strong is to brush and floss. People of all ages should brush at least twice a day and floss daily to maintain good oral health. People who have crowns should focus on brushing gently at the base of the crown.
A crown is connected to a natural tooth underneath it. Because of this, decay can form around the edges of a crown. The only way to permanently fix a crown with decay around the edges is to remove the old crown, remove the decay, and do a new crown.
To prevent cavities underneath and around the edges of a ceramic crown, clean it properly after every meal (or at least twice per day). Since tooth decay can still affect the natural tooth, be sure to floss once daily to make sure bacteria does not reach underneath the crown.
Tooth decay might be caused when plaque is trapped underneath your crown or in the cracks of your teeth. This plaque is easily removed with regular brushing and flossing. If plaque is not removed from these areas, the decay process starts.
Brown and Grey Spots in the Affected Area
Brown and grey spot formations are a distinct visual indicator of a potential infection or tooth decay under a dental crown. Spots can be visible on the white portion of a veneer, almost appearing like mould.
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.
Tooth sensitivity to temperatures (hot or cold) or sugary foods and drinks. Pain or tenderness in the areas surrounding the crown. Increasing redness at the area of crown placement. A discharge of yellow, green, or clear fluid or pus that appears to be draining or leaking out around or under the 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.
It is very rare that an old crown can be saved or reused since it will typically need to be cut into sections as it is removed from the tooth. For your comfort, the tooth and gum tissue will be numbed with a local anesthetic during this procedure.
When a tooth that is not covered with a crown is exposed to acids, the time it gets to eat away at the tooth is limited, since it is washed away by saliva. That means a tooth under a crown is more susceptible to decay than one that is not if the prosthetic becomes compromised.
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.
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.
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.
Conservative – when available, the crown can is removed and it remains intact. This is generally achieved by methods that apply certain types of force that break the cement seal and enable the crown to be removed.
Most crowns last between five and 15 years before needing to be replaced (or at least repaired). In some cases it is obvious that you need to replace a crown because it has fallen out or suffered extensive damage; in other circumstances, it is less obvious that there is a problem with a crown.
Age of the Crown
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.
Small adjustments can be made to permanent crowns once on but, an attempt to avoid even these small adjustments is made in order to leave the crown in the best shape possible. This will ensure a long life for the crown as well as the best look overall.
The gray line around the edge of your old crowns is most probably caused by the metal edge of the crown showing through the gum.
In most cases, a black line forms because the metal from the crown is showing through. Since older dental crowns are typically made of porcelain fused to metal, the metal will eventually become exposed as the gumline moves and recedes over time.
Pain or Discomfort in the Crown Area
Pain or discomfort in the crown area is a sign your dental crown is failing. Various issues, including decay, gum disease, and infection, can cause this. Seeking treatment right away is essential to prevent further damage, pain, and discomfort.
Treatment for an Infection
Treatment for decay or infection below a crown may entail: Removing the existing crown. Addressing the decay by filling or extracting the remainder of the tooth. Creating a new crown to accommodate the filling and what remains of the tooth.
The short answer is yes. Crowns can be damaged over time because of trauma to the mouth or chewing on hard things. The long answer is when a crown gets damaged, bacteria will easily get past it and get to the real tooth underneath.
In some cases, the restorative material may need to be completely cut through with high-speed rotary instrument and then pried off with a narrow-ended tool. If the crown is made out of gold or metal, then removal becomes even more difficult because the material is harder to penetrate.
Avoid chewy or sticky foods, such as caramel, taffy, and gum. These foods can grab and pull out the crown. Avoid chewing hard foods, such as granola, hard candy, and ice. These goods can break off or dislodge the crown.