Dental crowns have many purposes from restoring broken and worn teeth to covering weaker teeth to reduce the risk of damage. Our Delta Straight Smile dentists are here to talk about caring for your crowns.
What Is A Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are tooth coverings that can be created to fit over your existing tooth. It can be used to try to treat a tooth with severe decay protecting if from further damage. It also helps keep a bite intact. First, your dentist will remove decay from the tooth being treated and any existing fillings. If needed, they can build up the tooth to match the height of the teeth around it. Next, 3-D imaging is used to custom-make a crown that fits your tooth.
Why Might I Need A Dental Crown?
Our Delta Straight Smile dental team may recommend getting a dental crown if you need it to:
- Restore a large area of decay that’s too severe for a filling.
- Give a discolored tooth an easy makeover.
- Attach it to a dental implant.
- Restore a tooth that’s undergone root canal therapy.
- Rebuild the structure of a badly injured or fractured tooth.
- Protecting a weak tooth from the threat of fracture.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
Typically, porcelain crowns can last anywhere from 5 – 15 years. However, the longevity of your crown will be determined by your oral hygiene practices and the amount of wear and tear the crown gets. Its success starts with the proper fit. An improper fit can lead to bacteria buildup, which causes tooth decay. A regular oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing helps make a crown last significantly longer.
How To Care For Your Dental Crowns
To make your dental crown last as long as possible, you need to have good oral hygiene which starts with brushing and flossing on a regular basis. When brushing, pay extra attention to your crown and the teeth around it. Also, visit your dentist for regular dental exams and routine dental cleanings. If you’re an athlete, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth to lower your risk of damage.
You will also want to avoid foods such as hard candies, crunchy fresh vegetables and nuts. These can damage your temporary crowns. You may also want to avoid hot soups, sugary or sticky foods, as well as extremely cold foods like ice cream as you may experince some degree of sensitivity with your new crown.
To avoid damage to your crowns you will want to avoid bad habits such as biting your nails, chewing on ice and opening packages with your mouth.