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.
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.
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.
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.
A cavity under a crown can be difficult to treat, and may require a root canal. Your dentist will likely recommend removing the infected tissue from your tooth if the cavity has become infected. After a root canal, you will need to have another crown placed on your tooth.
How to tell if your tooth is rotting beneath a crown. If the affected area is quite small, it can be hard to detect any cavities or decay underneath it. 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.
While you may feel some pain under the crown, this may not occur until the decay is already at a late stage. 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
The crown is gently moved until the adhesive seal is broken. The weak cement releases as the crown is pried and removed from the tooth. Definitively cast and cemented crowns however are more challenging to remove.
Dental crowns that are fixed to a metal post, whether they are porcelain-fused-to-metal or composite, can have a gray tint in natural light. This is because the outer material doesn't obscure the dark metal beneath.
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.
Redness and tenderness around the crown. Swollen or sore gums surrounding the crown. A constant sensation of warmth on one side of your mouth. Yellow, clear or greenish discharge near the crown.
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 could even be a cavity. If you are wondering why your tooth might appear dark underneath your crown, keep reading.
Depending on the extent of tooth decay, your dentist may recommend either a cavity filling or dental crown. Dental crowns are typically used to treat severely damaged teeth, while filings generally treat minor tooth decay and damages.
Dental insurance usually will pay for a crown on the same tooth after 5 years, but some plans are changing to 7.
Long Term Care of Your New Crown or Bridge
Initially, you may experience some sensitivity to cold because the tooth may be slightly irritated by the cement. Sensitivity toothpaste (Pronamel by Sensodyne or Crest for Sensitive teeth) generally helps.
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.
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.
The best way to answer this is with an in-person evaluation, but yes your crowns can be removed, but you'll need new crowns. I recommend getting a consultation with a Prosthodontist, who can discuss with you the different options.
Removal of a permanently cemented crown or fixed partial denture is a cumbersome procedure for a prosthodontist, especially when there is no purchase point available to remove it.
You can replace the crown as many times as you want if there is nothing wrong with it. What we mean by that is that there is no tooth decay underneath the cap. In this case, your dentist can simply remove it and just remake a new one without harming the underlying tooth structure.