When Is It Time to Have a Dental Crown Replaced?

Dental crowns don’t last a lifetime, although many people assume they will. Expect to repair or replace a crown within five to 15 years of its installation. People may realize that the day of removal of dental crowns has arrived when the crown falls out or suffers from extensive damage. However, less obvious signs often serve as the first clue the person needs to visit a dentist. Make an appointment when you see one of these signs to avoid pain and discomfort. 

 A Change in Your Bite

Visit your Local Family Dentist when you notice a change in your bite. The dentist adjusts the crown when placing it to ensure the bite feels normal. Over time, if changes are noticed, the crown likely either needs an adjustment or to be replaced. The crown should allow you to have solid contact with the teeth in the back of the mouth with lighter contact between the front teeth. If you notice a change when you are chewing or experience any discomfort, the crown may need an adjustment or replacement. 

Receding Gums

When gum tissue starts to pull away from the crown, a number of things could be the cause of this recession. At times, the crown wasn’t properly placed at installation and an adjustment needed to be made. However, this recession could be the result of gum disease. When this is the case, the patient needs more effective dental hygiene. At times, receding gums call for root planing and scaling to reverse the gum disease and stop the recession. 

Old Crowns

Natural wear and tear lead to the breakdown of dental crowns. Individuals need to have their crowns examined at each dental visit to ensure the restorations are healthy and functioning properly. Hard and sticky foods contribute to this wear and tear, and a person might damage a crown by grinding their teeth at night. The dentist may need to replace the crown and address the teeth grinding to prevent future damage. 

Pain in or Around the Crown

Metal crowns rarely chip or break, but that is not the case with their porcelain siblings. The porcelain crown or porcelain component of a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown may sustain damage due to normal wear and tear, bruxism, or eating. When the crown breaks or cracks, this exposes the underlying tooth. This brings about the pain, tenderness, and swelling the patient experiences. Replacing the crown addresses the situation and stops the discomfort. 

Damaged Crowns

A crown that is damaged leaves the underlying tooth susceptible to damage. Fortunately, when caught early, this damage may be fixed without replacing the crown. However, this depends on prompt action by the individual and the extent of the damage. A visit to the dentist can determine the best course of action in this situation. 

Every person should visit their dentist twice a year for regular checkups. During this visit, the dentist examines the entire mouth to detect any problems and figure out the best way to fix them. They examine the crowns and will make recommendations on repair or replacement when needed. Never delay one of these visits, as doing so could lead to pain, discomfort, and the possible loss of one or more teeth. Quick action is essential in this situation, so make the appointment today if you are having problems with any dental crowns you have.