Dental Crowns - Frequently Asked Questions

• What Problems Could Develop With a Dental Crown?
• How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
• Does a Crowned Tooth Require any Special Care?
• How Much Do Crowns Cost?
• Procedure for dental crowns treatment
• Recovery expectations
• Postcare instructions for Dental Crowns
• Care for dental crowns

What Problems Could Develop With a Dental Crown?

Discomfort or sensitivity. Your newly crowned tooth may be sensitive immediately after the procedure as the anesthesia begins to wear off. If the tooth that has been crowned still has a nerve in it, you may experience some heat and cold sensitivity. Your dentist may recommend that you brush your teeth with toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.

Chipped crown . Crowns made of all porcelain can sometimes chip. If the chip is small, a composite resin can be used to repair the chip with the crown remaining in your mouth. If the chipping is extensive, the crown may need to be replaced.

Loose crown . Sometimes the cement washes out from under the crown. Not only does this allow the crown to become loose, it allows bacteria to leak in and cause decay to the tooth that remains. If your crown feels loose, contact our office.

Crown falls off . If this happens, contact our office immediately. Our dentists and staff can then give you specific instructions on how to care for your tooth and crown for the day or so until you can be seen for an evaluation. Your dentist may be able to re-cement your crown in place; if not, a new crown is required.

Allergic reaction . Because the metals used to make crowns are usually a mixture of metals, an allergic reaction to the metals or porcelain used in crowns can occur, but this is extremely rare. Please do kindly inform our staff on any allgeric reactions you may have before any medical or dental treatment.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

The life span of a crown depends on the amount of "wear and tear" the crown is exposed to, how well you follow good oral hygiene practices, and your personal mouth-related habits. Habits such as grinding or clenching your teeth, chewing ice, biting your fingernails and using your teeth to open packaging puts on greater wear and tear to the crown. On average in general, dental crowns last between 5 and 15 years.

Does a Crowned Tooth Require any Special Care?

While a crowned tooth does not require any special care, remember that simply because a tooth is crowned does not mean the underlying tooth is protected from decay or gum disease. Therefore, continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day-especially around the crown area where the gum meets the tooth.

How Much Do Crowns Cost?

The costs at our dental clinic varies depending the type of crown material selected. For example, for porcelain-fused-to-metal alloy crowns, the higher the percentage of precious metal alloy in the crowns, they more costly they tend to be.

Procedure for Dental Crowns Treatment

The course of treatment described here is one of several options available at our dental clinic. Consult your dentist to find out what the best solution is for you, given your specific condition.

1. First evaluation and crowns tooth preparation
   • Local anesthesia is first adminstered at the region for crown tooth preparation
   • The natural tooth is reshaped to receive the new dental crown
   • Records are taken and approved with the patient to determine the color, bite, length and shape of the crown
   • An impressionis taken for a replica model of the teeth
   • This model is sent to a lab where the individual personal crown is fabricated
   • A temporary crown is placed on whilst the permanent crown is made
2. Fitting of crowns on delivery
   • The temporary crown is removed
   • The permanent crown is fitted and cemented into place on the teeth
   • A quality assurance check is done for any re-adjustments or re-works of the dental crowns
3. Care of crowns
   • Brush and floss the crowns as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist.

Recovery Expectations

Both the preparation and placement of the temporary bridge as well as the bonding of the permanent bridge may cause some minor tenderness in the area. Some individuals may experience sensitivity in teeth. This sensitivity will disappear gradually over a few days to weeks.

Postcare Instructions for Dental Crowns

1. Avoid chewing on or eating hard foods on the restorations for 24 hours from the time they were cemented
2. To help with discomfort or swelling rinse your mouth 3xd with warm salt water. (1tsp. of salt in 8oz of water)
3. Keep crown area clean to maintain tissue compatibility (the contour of the prosthesis must allow the surrounding tissue to conform to a natural, healthy position)
4. Some sensitivity in teeth may be experienced by certain patients. This sensitivity will disappear gradually over a few days to weeks. If teeth are sensitive
   • Avoid hot, cold or acidic food and beverages
   • Pain medication be taken as directed as long as there is no medical contradiction based upon your medical history
   • Use flouride rinse and toothpaste for sensivity teeth
   • Clean teeth properly

Care for Dental Crowns

Dental crowns require the same regular and consistent home and professional dental care, as your natural teeth to prevent decay at the tooth-dental crown junction. To provide optimum longevity for your restorations, please follow the home care tips below:

1. Brush after eating and before bedtime around the crown with a soft toothbrush, especially where the crown meets the gum line. At the gum line harmful bacteria can be harbored to cause decay and gum disease.
2. Floss at least once to twice a day. Use the proxy brush or floss threader to remove plaque under and around these areas to maintain good oral hygiene. Buildup of food debris and plaque on your teeth and gums can become infected.
3. Rinse with fluoride rinse before bed. Swish the fluoride rinse vigorously in your mouth for at least one minute. Do not swallow any of the rinse and do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes
4. Be careful about chewing toffees, gum, grainy rolls and tough food in this area
5. See your dentist for regular professional check-ups and cleanings

Source from http://www.webmd.com

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