Dental crowns are typically placed on teeth to help provide them with necessary support and protection, preventing them from developing painful infections or other oral health conditions. With the ability to last for between five and 15 years on average with good maintenance, and because they play such an important role in the preservation of the teeth they protect, it’s important to know the signs of when they need to be replaced. Read on to learn the four tell-tale symptoms of a failing dental crown.
Your Treated Tooth is Painful or Sensitive
Over time, wear and tear can leave your dental crown chipped, damaged, or broken. When this occurs, it can create a passageway for harmful oral bacteria to become trapped beneath its surface, causing problems to develop such as dental sensitivity and pain, tooth infections, decay, and more. The longer this pain is left untreated, the more likely a tooth extraction will be necessary. That’s why, if you experience pain or sensitivity in a tooth protected by an old dental crown, it’s critical to have it replaced.
Your Gums Around Your Tooth are Receding
Gum recession is when gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, making them appear longer and leaving the roots of the teeth unprotected. This could be due to improper placement of the dental crown or gum disease, which is an infection of the soft oral tissues. In either case, treatment of gum disease and/or the replacement of the crown is critical to preserve the affected tooth or teeth.
Your Crown is Five or More Years Old
While the average lifespan of dental crowns is between five and 15 years, dental crowns can fail due to a variety of reasons at any point during that time frame. Whether it’s due to bad habits like nightly teeth grinding or an accident, routine dental checkups with your dentist can help spot the signs of failure early on, allowing you to replace your restoration before any additional issues arise.
Your Crown Stands Out from Your Surrounding Teeth
Crowns made from natural-looking dental materials such as ceramic, zirconia, and porcelain are non-porous and custom-designed at the time of your treatment to resemble your natural teeth. That means that as your teeth naturally discolor over the years, your restoration won’t, making it stand out whenever you smile or laugh, especially if it’s in a more visible area of the mouth. Whenever it becomes a noticeably different shade than your natural teeth, it may be time to get it replaced.
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has over 10 years of experience as a dentist with countless hours of continuing education and additional training. His commitment to providing his patients with high-quality dentistry that stands the test of time is why he only uses professional-grade, top-tier dental materials to craft his restorations. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.