Crowns are dental restorations that cover over and encase the tooth on which they are cemented.
Crowns cover most of the exposed portion of your tooth and decay does not affect a crown since it is made of metal and /or porcelain. However, where the natural tooth meets the crown can become decayed.
Crowns normally last 5-10 years or longer IF you follow the following suggestions and precautions:
Adjustment period: It is ok for the crown to feel a little out of place for a few days after cementing. This is because the teeth around this area are adjusting to new forces both in between the teeth and upon biting.
Preventive Procedures: To provide optimum longevity for your restorations and to prevent future decay and supporting-tissue breakdown, please use the following home care tips:
Brush after eating and before bedtime around the crown with a soft toothbrush, especially where the crown meets the gum line. At this gum line harmful bacteria can be harbored to cause decay and gum disease. An electric toothbrush is highly recommended over manual to help you keep this area clean.
Floss. We recommend usng aWater Pik. If that is not an option, please pull the floss from the gum-line out, do not lift the floss out of the gum-line. Lifting the floss can cause the seal of the crown to break or loosen.
Water Pik™ can be used with an antibacterial, alcohol free mouthwash like prescribed mouthwash at the gum line to keep this area healthy
Chewing: Do not chew hard foods on the restorations for 24 hours from the time they were cemented—to attain optimum strength, the cement must mature for approximately 24 hours Also avoid eating or chewing on hard objects, hard food, nails, hard candy or ice.
Avoid sticky treats like: caramels, taffy, gummy bears, caramels, salt water taffy, Swedish fish, jelly beans, hard gum and other sticky candy.
Limit snacks, if high in sugar brush this area or swish with water
Remember tobacco, coffee, blueberries and tea may stain the crown
Sensitivity: Do not worry about mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods. This sensitivity will disappear gradually over a few weeks. If the sensitivity does not subside, please schedule a follow-up appointment. Please note, it is common for a recently crowned tooth to require a root canal.
Call us if any one of these conditions occurs:
If the crown is the first tooth to hit when you bite down after a couple of days, contact us for an adjustment;
a feeling of movement or looseness in the restoration;
sensitivity to sweet foods; a peculiar taste from the restoration site;
breakage of a piece of material from the restoration
sensitivity to pressure
Crowned teeth may need a root canal procedure after a crown restoration
