Dental Crown Complications and What to Do

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Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:40:43 +0000
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A dental crown treatment is a good way to strengthen and save a weak tooth. Unfortunately, dental crowns are also subject to complications that may mar the treatment process. Below are some of the problems that you may face with your temporary dental crown and what you can do.

Dental Crown Problems

Here are the common problems people have with dental crowns.

Pain

Expect some level of discomfort or slight pain when you first get your dental crown. The pain should dissipate after a short while, however. You have another problem on your hands if the initial pain doesn’t disappear.

For example, the edges of the crown may irritate your gums or your tooth may have experienced serious trauma when the dentist prepped it for the crown. Such dental trauma may also inflame your teeth and cause you pain.

Heightened Sensitivity

The enamel, which is the outermost surface layer of the tooth, protects the inner tooth tissues from external stimuli. When your dentist prepares your tooth for a dental crown, the dentist removes some of the enamel to improve the crown’s fit.

Unfortunately, the decrease in enamel thickness reduces its protective nature, and your tooth may be more susceptible to environmental stimuli after a dental crown treatment. With heightened sensitivity, you may feel dental pain or discomfort when you expose your teeth to hot or cold food and drinks.

Bite Issues

A dental crown increases your tooth’s size — both height and girth. Despite the enamel shaving preparation, however, your crowned tooth may still end up marginally bigger than it used to be before treatment.

Such an increase in height may affect your bite; you may find that your crowned tooth comes into contact with its opposite tooth. Such a bite problem may cause you pain when you eat, move your jawbone, or even talk.

Damage

Lastly, your dental crown may also experience damage (crack or fracture) or fall off. The crown may fall off if it doesn’t fit properly, if the attachment cement has deteriorated, or if the crown doesn’t have a reasonable size of tooth structure on which to attach.

Your dental crown may also fall off if you expose it to too much force than it can bear, or if your dental crown is impacted by an accident that involves a blow to the face.

What to Do

If you are experiencing dental crown problems, here are a few measures to help you prevent and cope with them.

Follow Instructions

The best thing you can do for your dental crowns is to follow your dentist’s instructions to the letter. Here are some of the instructions your dentist is likely to give you:

Avoid sticky and hard foods when you have a temporary dental crown; such foods may dislodge or damage the crown.

Favor the side of your mouth with the dental crown; shift food to the other side of your jaw to avoid problems.

Be gentle, especially around the crowned tooth, when you floss or brush.

Maintain a high level of oral hygiene.

The above instructions will help you avoid dental crown complications. Follow these guidelines, and any other instructions your dentist may give, to ensure your crown doesn’t require retreatment prematurely.

Inform the Dentist

If you do develop crown problems, inform your dentist at the earliest opportunity possible. Don’t opt for treatments at home or think the problem will go away on its own. Your dentist has most likely treated similar problems to yours.

Hopefully, you won’t experience any premature problems with your dental crown. If you do develop a complication with your dental crown, consult Family First Dentistry for a fast and effective intervention. We have an experienced team of dental professionals that will give you the compassionate care you deserve.