Not long ago, porcelain crowns weren’t strong and required a metal foundation. However, modern ceramics are incredibly solid. When well-maintained, ceramic crowns created from porcelain, zirconia, or e-max can last well over 15 years. Despite being designed to last, dental crowns can still fail.
Robert L. Holloway, DDS, is your go-to dental office for dental crowns in Noblesville, Indiana, and the surrounding areas. We have restored hundreds of smiles with crowns and know almost everything about these tooth-shaped appliances. If you’re curious about why dental crowns fail, keep reading.
Why do dental crowns fail?
Dr. Robert Holloway places your dental crown by reshaping your tooth to accommodate the thickness of a crown. Once we receive your customized crown from our partner dental lab, we bond it to your tooth with permanent dental adhesives. The result is a solid and functional dental crown set that will remain in place for many years.
Unfortunately, dental crowns can still fail in certain situations. Watch out for the following common reasons why dental crowns fail.
- Tooth decay: Poor oral hygiene can lead to the buildup of plaque and tartar. These unwanted deposits can cause decay around the crown’s margins, compromising the underlying tooth structure. Your dental crown doesn’t come cheap. We emphasize preventive dental care to keep your crown looking healthy for years. Brush and floss your teeth religiously. Also, visit your dentist twice annually for dental check-ups and cleanings.
- Poor crown placement: While many dentists claim to be dental crown specialists, not all are proficient in this area. If your crown is poorly placed, it will impact your bite and eventually become loose or fall out. Sometimes, a poorly fitted crown can let unwanted bacteria infiltrate the underlying tooth, causing decay.
- Teeth grinding (bruxism): Excessive forces during teeth grinding and clenching can crack or fracture your crown. Bruxism threatens not only your crown but also your entire smile. We recommend that patients who grind their teeth regularly wear a custom mouthguard to protect their teeth from the forces of bruxism.
- Periodontal issues: Gum disease can damage your periodontal ligaments, causing your gums to pull away (recede) from your teeth. Gum recession may expose the crown’s edge, raising the risk of decay and affecting appearance. Furthermore, advanced gum disease can damage the supporting structures of the tooth and crown. We recommend optimal oral hygiene and routine dental visits to protect your smile from gum disease.
- Allergy reactions: Although rare, you can react adversely to the dental crown. This is particularly common for patients with metal-based dental crowns. We emphasize ceramic crowns because of their biocompatibility with many patients.
If a crown is failing, you may experience sensitivity. Sometimes, the crown is loose, visibly worn out, or has fallen out! If your crown fails, do not delay – seek immediate dental care from your dentist. Delay or putting off treatment can cause further oral complications, including tooth loss.
Contact your trusted dental crown dentist today!
Whether your dental crown has issues or you want to restore your tooth with a dental crown, Robert L. Holloway, DDS, is here for you—call (317) 672-0950 to schedule an appointment.
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