A dental crown is a useful and effective fixture that a dentist can employ to restore a broken or vulnerable tooth. This ceramic cap fits over an affected tooth, sealing into place with dental cement to provide thorough protection and structure. Our cosmetic dentistry provides dental crowns for patients with tooth issues.
Though durable, immense pressure on the crown can cause the cap to break, become loose, or even dislodge. All of these issues could mean the underlying tooth could be at risk of dental harm. Read on to find steps you should take if you sustain damage to your dental crown.
What to Do If You Damage a Dental Crown
Call Your Dentist Right Away
Some people may notice pain or tooth sensitivity if they experience harm to their dental crown. Other people will not have any symptoms at all. In any case, you might not be aware of the extent of the damage this type of injury could cause to your smile.
Therefore, your first action should be to call your dentist if you damage your crown. They can offer advice on how to manage any symptoms right away.
Do not wait until your next routine dentist appointment to talk to your dentist. You may put your tooth at risk if you leave it vulnerable for too long.
Attend an Emergency Dentist Appointment
If you suffer damage to your dental crown, your dentist will likely ask you to come to their office for an emergency appointment. Bring your crown with you to this visit if possible.
The dentist will examine the cap, the affected tooth, and the rest of your mouth to evaluate any additional signs of harm. If the crown is intact, the dentist will place it back over the tooth and seal it into place once again. If you need a new crown custom-made for you, your dentist can provide you with a temporary crown to protect the tooth while it is being constructed in the dental lab.
Prevent Further Harm to Your Dental Work
Once you have a crown back over your vulnerable tooth, you will want to make sure you avoid any additional damage happening to your dental crown. Make sure you continue to practice good oral hygiene to keep your gums and surrounding teeth healthy. Decay and other dental problems in these areas may disrupt your existing dental work.
So you should brush your teeth twice each day and floss on a daily basis. Visit your dentist for routine cleanings and exams as well. This will ensure your dentist can diagnose and treat dental problems or even concerns with the crown before they result in irreversible damage.
To protect your crown, you should also avoid biting down on hard items unnecessarily. Examples include the end of a pen, ice, and fingernails. This action generates pressure that could disturb your dental crown.
Let your dentist know if you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth. This behavior will also create this type of pressure that can harm your crown.