A dental crown has an important assignment: cover a weakened tooth so it can handle everyday biting and chewing without being left vulnerable. For years, that restoration may perform so reliably that you practically forget it exists. But crowns and the teeth supporting them can change over time. If you suspect your crown is no longer protecting your tooth as effectively as it once did, having it evaluated can reveal whether a new restoration would provide better support.
At Elan Dental of South Riding, assessing existing dental work involves looking at the crown and what lies beneath it. The condition of the natural tooth ultimately plays a major role in deciding whether an established restoration should stay or go.
A Crown Can Look Fine and Still Have a Problem
It's tempting to judge a restoration by what you see in the mirror. Unfortunately, that doesn't provide the whole picture.
Much of a crowned tooth is concealed. A problem can begin around the restoration's margins or underneath it without producing an obvious change in its visible surface. For example, bacteria can attack natural tooth structure near the crown even though the restorative material itself cannot develop decay.
The cement securing a crown may also deteriorate, or the supporting tooth could undergo structural changes. Your crown might remain in place while its ability to provide a secure barrier has become compromised.
Regular dental examinations help uncover these less-visible concerns before they have an opportunity to progress.
What Changes Deserve Your Attention?
Your dentist doesn't expect you to diagnose a problem at home. Instead, pay attention when a familiar crowned tooth begins looking, feeling, or functioning differently.
Reasons to schedule an evaluation include:
- Sensitivity that develops unexpectedly
- Pain or pressure while chewing
- A new rough edge or irregular surface
- A crown that seems to shift slightly
- Food repeatedly getting caught beside the tooth
- Floss snagging or shredding around the restoration
- Gum tenderness or irritation in that area
- A noticeable gap near the crown's border
- A bite that suddenly feels different
None of these automatically means you need another crown. They simply indicate that something has changed and deserves professional attention.
Why Do Previously Successful Crowns Develop Problems?
Think about the workload your teeth handle during the course of a year, much less a decade. Breakfast, snacks, dinners, holiday meals, and everything in between expose crowns to repeated chewing pressure.
Ordinary wear can eventually take a toll. Grinding and clenching may subject a restoration to even greater forces, while chewing ice or unexpectedly biting a hard object can cause sudden damage.
The surrounding mouth isn't static, either. Gum recession can expose additional natural tooth structure. Decay may affect the tooth near the crown's margins. Previous dental work can deteriorate.
Because so many variables are involved, there isn't one specific age when every crown should automatically be replaced. A dentist considers how well the individual restoration is currently functioning.
What Determines Whether Replacement Is Necessary?
Your dentist may begin by inspecting the crown's surface and edges, checking its stability, evaluating your bite, and examining the surrounding gum tissue. X-rays can sometimes provide additional information about portions of the tooth hidden from direct view.
If the crown remains structurally sound and the tooth is healthy, there may be no reason to replace it simply because it's been there a long time.
When a crown is compromised, however, replacement can allow your dentist to address problems that might otherwise threaten the tooth. The existing restoration is removed when appropriate, exposing the natural structure underneath. Decay or damaged areas can then be treated before another crown is made.
The new restoration should fit closely around the prepared tooth while working comfortably with neighboring and opposing teeth. Appropriate contours help support normal chewing and make it easier to clean around the tooth. Tooth-colored materials can also provide a natural appearance when the crown is visible in your smile.
Give Crowns a Fighting Chance
Although crowns eventually may require replacement, good habits can help you protect them and the teeth they cover.
Brush twice each day and floss consistently around every restored tooth. Pay particular attention near the gumline, since this is where the crown meets vulnerable natural tooth structure.
Avoid chewing ice and using your teeth for jobs such as opening packages or cracking objects. If you grind or clench, ask your dentist whether a nightguard could help protect your teeth and restorations from excessive forces.
And don't skip routine examinations simply because your crowns feel fine. Professional monitoring provides an opportunity to spot subtle deterioration that may not yet be causing symptoms.
Handle Questionable Dental Work Before the Holidays Arrive
Late October marks the beginning of a particularly food-filled stretch of the calendar. Halloween treats quickly give way to Thanksgiving dinner, followed by weeks of holiday gatherings and celebrations. If a crowned tooth has already started giving you reasons for concern, this isn't an ideal time to test how much longer it can hold out.
If you're worried about a crown no longer protecting your tooth, schedule an appointment with Elan Dental of South Riding. Having the restoration evaluated now can help determine whether it remains dependable or whether replacement could better protect your natural tooth as you head into the busy months ahead. Call us at 571-587-3667 for an appointment in Aldie, VA.
