A dental crown is a tooth-colored, porcelain cap that seals and protects a tooth. Crowns are placed on teeth to address decay, fractures, or cosmetic concerns, or to provide structural stability after a root canal treatment. With proper maintenance and collaboration with your dentist, a dental crown can last between five and 15 years. Here are some key factors that will affect the health and longevity of your crown.

How to Care for Dental Crowns

1. Diet

Avoid chewing hard candy, nuts, and crunchy raw veggies. Extreme forces make porcelain vulnerable to microscopic and significant fractures, especially after a root canal. This form of treatment makes the supporting tooth structure more brittle.

The cement used to seat dental crowns takes time to cure fully, so avoid putting force on that tooth for a few days. Avoid overly sticky substances, like gum.

2. Oral Hygiene

The most vulnerable area of a dental crown is its margin, where the edge of the crown meets the gum line and seals the inside of the tooth. Plaque can collect right at this margin, infecting the gums and weakening the tooth.

Remove the plaque with thorough but gentle brushing and flossing. However, overly-aggressive care will stress the gums and cause recession. Ask your dentist for prescription-strength toothpaste and in-office fluoride treatments to lower your risk for decay at the crown margins. Fluoride also helps minimize root sensitivity at the early stages of recession.

3. Grinding

With grinding, the enamel of the opposing teeth can wear straight through the crown’s porcelain.

If you have a history of grinding or clenching your teeth, ask your dentist for a nightguard. The plastic absorbs the force of the grinding and protects your teeth and crown from further wear.

4. Staining

The shade of a dental crown’s porcelain exterior cannot be changed. If you notice neighboring teeth starting to stain or darken, discuss in-office or at-home teeth whitening options with your dentist.

Keep your smile looking natural and uniform by avoiding drinks that cause staining, especially coffee, tea, or wine, and foods like berries and beets that contain natural dyes called tannins.

5. Dental care

Regular checkups are critical to protecting your dental crown. During your teeth cleaning, a hygienist will remove bacteria around your crown and gums. Your dentist will identify and discuss the risk factors for decay or other infections with you.

Update your health history and openly discuss your concerns at each visit. Illnesses, like diabetes or heart conditions, as well as many medications, can significantly increase the risk of decay and dental crown failure.

 

Visit the office of William B. Collier Jr., DMD in Enterprise, AL, for a comfortable experience for the entire family. They offer comprehensive dental services, including cosmetic work like teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. Dr. Collier has decades of experience, and many of his patients have been seeing him since his practice opened in 1967. For compassionate, reliable service and picture-perfect results, visit their website or call (334) 347-5026 to schedule an appointment.