Three Signs It's Time For A New Dental Crown
Dental crowns are extremely effective methods of protecting your teeth after they've undergone serious damage or an intense procedure, like a severe cavity or a root canal. While dental crowns are very useful, they don't last forever and need to be replaced or repaired on occasion. If you've never needed to have a crown replaced before, you might not know what to expect. Here are three signs that your crown may be on its way out.
Clicking
Dental crowns are supposed to form a tight seal over your teeth courtesy of the snug fit of the crown itself and dental cement. When you bite down on it, it shouldn't feel any different than any of your real teeth. However, if you notice that there are clicking sounds coming from your teeth when you chew, that may mean that your dental crown isn't working properly anymore.
When a dental crown becomes loose, it can make a clicking noise when you bite down. This is usually because it's unbalanced or wobbly, and biting down pushes it against the tooth.
Sensitivity
If you have sensitivity in a tooth that's been covered with a crown, you should definitely seek help from a dentist. This is almost always a sign that your dental crown is no longer providing the protection that your tooth needs.
When a significant dental procedure is performed that calls for a crown, it may leave part of the inner tooth exposed. This is where the nerves are, and as a result, it's very sensitive to direct touch. If you drink or eat and notice that the tooth hurts, the interior could be at risk of exposure to bacteria and infection, so don't hesitate to get help.
Debris
While it's fairly rare for modern dental crowns themselves to actually break, barring a severe incident like a car accident, the same can't be said of the cement holding it in place. Dental cement can last for years, but eventually it will start to break down. When this happens, you may find little chunks of dental cement under your tongue or around your teeth. It may look tooth-colored, but will generally be irregularly shaped. This indicates that either the crown is coming loose or another filling in your mouth is having a problem.
If you notice any of these issues, it's time to set up an appointment to have your crown worked on. In some cases, the crown can simply be removed and reset with new dental cement, but in others, you may need a new crown. Your dentist will let you know what's needed.
If you have questions about dental crowns, contact a dentist.