Dental crowns are highly effective in the repair and restoration of your teeth. They can help correct cosmetic issues, fix damaged or fractured teeth, and restore natural teeth’ strength, function, and appearance. Although placing a permanent crown is a relatively simple procedure, you still need to care for them to prevent future dental problems from occurring. Here are 5 tips you need to know to ensure your dental restoration is properly cared for and extend its lifespan.
Following placing your dental crown, you should avoid some foods and drinks to protect the dental crowns and the overall health of your teeth. Prolonging the lifespan of both your artificial and natural teeth requires looking into what foods you should avoid.
Whether or not you have dental crowns, it’s important to have regular dental checkups and dental cleanings to ensure your teeth and crowns are in good shape and free from tooth decay. By staying proactive with regularly scheduled dental visits, Dr. Feng can spot any potential problems requiring treatment before minor issues become big. With proper dental oral hygiene and regular dental exams, dental crowns can last 10 years or longer.
Bruxism is characterized by unconscious clenching or grinding while you sleep. It causes major damage to your teeth over time if not treated because of excessive pressure. If you suffer from bruxism, it’s important to address this before getting a new crown. Otherwise, your new crown may get damaged due to a weak tooth. Dr. Feng can create a custom-made oral appliance such as a nightguard or an oral splint that reduces the stress and protects your teeth.
An oral appliance may be a solution for you where Dr. Feng can fabricate a custom-made oral appliance that supports your teeth and jaw. This device cushions the teeth and places the jaw in a more favorable position that helps prevent excessive tooth grinding or clenching, which can wear down restorations over time.
Even though your dental crown won’t get a cavity, it doesn’t mean they are maintenance-free. Just like your natural teeth, they need to be cared for to prevent tooth decay. The best way to keep your crowns in top-notch condition is to practice good dental hygiene, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using an antibacterial mouthwash. Some may think that using dental floss is unnecessary however, not flossing is where plaque and bacteria can build up around the base of a tooth, which may cause tooth decay and gum disease. When flossing, the best way to floss is with a gentle sliding motion as you slide it between your teeth and below the crown margin to clean the gap between the crown edge and tooth.
If you have a temporary crown, you should practice good oral hygiene. When flossing, it is important to be careful not to dislodge the temporary crown when flossing if it is not permanently attached.
Porcelain crowns are made to last for a long time, so avoiding bad habits and paying attention to them is important in making them last. Things like chewing ice and biting your nails can cause your dental crowns to weaken and break. If you see that your crown has significant wear or damage on it, see your family dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Within two to three weeks, the tooth will be restored with a permanent crown that matches the rest of your surrounding teeth. During this time, you’ll wear a temporary crown to protect your tooth and maintain its shape. Avoid crunchy or hard foods with your temporary dental crown to make sure it doesn’t become damaged or dislodged.
It’s important that you preserve your dental crown as best as you can until you see your dentist. Depending on the tooth’s condition, a crown can be reset; however, in situations where this isn’t possible, you’ll need to get a temporary crown while you wait for a new crown to be made.
If you experience a cracked or chipped crown, visit your dentist as soon as possible as they may be able to repair it.
Please follow post-procedure instructions carefully. It is important that you do not eat, drink, smoke, or rinse for at least one to two hours following your procedure. Avoid hard or sticky foods for a few hours, and you can resume normal brushing/flossing habits by the end of the day.
To learn more about getting a dental crown, or how they are used with dental implants, schedule an appointment at our Fairview, TX office. As your family dentist, Dr. Feng would be happy to go over your dental care or treatment options that would fit your needs and goals. Your oral health is critical to your overall health.
To schedule an appointment to get started, please call (972) 468-1440 or visit our website to book an appointment. We can’t wait to help you achieve your dental goals!
