How To Preserve The Lifespan of Dental Crowns

In a vacuum, dental crowns in Red Deer have a lifespan of roughly five to 15 years before they need to be replaced. Of course, your dental crowns don’t exist in a vacuum. They reside in your mouth, which is unique depending on the health of your gums, the health of your underlying teeth, your personal oral hygiene habits and your lifestyle.

When should dental crowns be replaced?

Every time you attend a regular check-up at a dentist in Red Deer, your dentist will inspect the condition of your crowns to determine if they’re still intact and functioning properly. If your crown shows any signs of damage, wear, weakness or ill fit, your dentist will recommend the crown be repaired or replaced. Examples of situations when a crown should be replaced include:

● If your crown becomes cracked or

● If your crown or the underlying tooth is damaged in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, assault or athletic collision

● If the tooth under the crown becomes infected, weakened or damaged due to tooth decay

How can you preserve the lifespan of your crowns?

Practice good daily dental hygiene habits

The effectiveness and integrity of your dental crown depends largely on the health and condition of the tooth it covers. If that tooth becomes infected with tooth decay, any resulting cavity or loss of structure may affect the bond between the crown and the tooth itself. To protect that crown, it’s essential to maintain good oral hygiene habits relating to your gums and neighbouring teeth to avoid the accumulation of plaque, tartar and bacteria around the crowned tooth. Doing that is as simple as: brushing your teeth thoroughly at least twice daily; flossing at least once daily; using mouthwash occasionally; having your teeth cleaned by a dentist near you annually; and receiving all recommended dental treatment.

If you clench your jaw as you sleep, wear a nightguard

Your teeth are able to withstand the pressure and strain imposed on them as you eat, bite and chew. If you clench your jaw and grind your teeth as you sleep, though, your teeth are exposed to much greater and much more prolonged pressures than they’re accustomed to. Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw as you sleep can damage the biting surfaces of your teeth and dental work — including dental crowns near you. To protect your teeth and all your dental work while you sleep, ask your dentist to provide you with a custom-fit night guard.

Avoid harmful habits

Lots of people have minor bad habits that don’t seem like a big deal, but that can actually damage or even dislodge a dental crown. Examples of potentially harmful bad habits to avoid include: chewing your fingernails or pencils; chewing ice; and using your teeth like tools, wrenches, scissors or pliers. All those activities pose a risk of damaging your crowns. To preserve the life of your crowns, try to avoid all those bad habits.

Don’t ignore any signs of damage

High-quality dental crowns are not easily chipped, but the same is not always true about cheaper or lower-quality crowns. Low-quality crowns can be more easily chipped than others. If you ever notice any chips on a crown, let your dentist in Red Deer right away. Minor chips that your dentist knows about right away can sometimes be repaired without needing to replace the entire crown. If you ever notice any other signs of damage to your crown — a crack, a wobble or any looseness — don’t delay in letting your dentist know. That may indicate a degrading fit and impending loss of the crown. If that happens, your tooth will be exposed to potential injury and infection.

Dental crowns are an exceedingly versatile dental restoration, but only if intact and securely attached to your tooth. To ensure you get the benefits of your crowns for as long as possible, follow these common-sense guidelines for protecting them and let your dentist know about any signs of problems. 

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