A dental crown is designed to last between five and fifteen years. Ideally, each one would last forever, and most of them do hold up for more than a decade, but certain factors can also shorten their lifespan drastically. If you have a cap that needs replacing, turn to Lowitz & Meier in Cincinnati, OH. This dentist office provides quality dental care for the entire family, including placing and repairing dental crowns.

What You Should Know If Your Dental Crown Breaks

Why They Break

There are several possible reasons why a dental crown might break, and if you know some of the most common causes, you can reduce the chances of breaking another one in the future. For example, you can break or dislodge a cap if you grind your teeth or bite down on hard foods and other items, like ice and toothpicks.

Crowns can also break as the result of general wear and tear. Some restorative dental materials are simply more durable than others. Additionally, your bite and the precise location of the underlying damaged tooth can affect how long a cap might last. Some teeth must withstand increased pressure when you chew, and those teeth are more likely to experience broken crowns.

How to Fix Them

It is not common to repair a broken crown because any chips or cracks will affect the integrity of the cap in the future. Instead, it is more likely that your dentist will replace it altogether. Although a broken crown is not typically a dental emergency, it can become one if left untreated. You should visit your dentist within one week of damaging the cap so you can receive adequate treatment.

It is important to remember that, in some cases, a broken crown can be a dental emergency. If the tooth underneath the crown is especially painful or the crack has resulted in sharp edges that are hurting your mouth, get to a dentist as soon as possible.

If you have a broken dental crown, the team at Lowitz & Meier in Cincinnati, OH, will fit you in as soon as they can so you can get the repairs you need. To learn more about the comprehensive care they provide, visit their website, and call (513) 521-8900 to make an appointment today.