Dental crowns are a commonly used dental implant that is placed over existing teeth to give them a healthier cleaner brighter look. It is essentially a protective covering for a damaged original tooth or it can be used to help replace missing teeth therefore protecting the overall health and alignment of the remaining teeth. Not only are they long lasting and stronger in many cases than natural teeth, they are also fairly affordable compared to other dental devices and prosthetics. However, there is one concern you need to be aware of if you are getting a crown placed- decay in dental crowns does happen at times which is why it is important you understand the need of taking care of dental implants. Here at Kopp Dental, we have helped many of our patients with our state of the art dental procedures, including tooth crown placement, and we can do the same for you! To avoid seeing a periodontist in Chicago like Loop Perio or the best prosthodontist like Dr. Kevin Kopp, you wil need to understand how dental decay occurs.
How does decay happen?
Most patients see crowns as a worthwhile investment into the health of their teeth and the appearance of their smile. But it is important that they understand basic dental care is still needed because there is still living tooth, gum, and bone under that crown. Educating a patient on proper care is every dentist’s responsibility; which is why we take it very seriously here at Kopp Dental.
We meet with every patient before their crowns are placed and review the pros and cons of the procedure before we make an appointment. The doctor gives them special care and cleaning instructions so that they can keep their crowns looking great while keeping the rest of their teeth as healthy as possible and for as long as possible. It is still possible for decay to form around the edges of a crown if good day to day care is not given and proper brushing and flossing routines are not followed. Decay in dental crowns is not all that common so long as patients remember that they need to be taking care of dental implants the same way they would take care of their natural teeth.
What do you do if decay is found?
Some patients come to us the first time with an old crown that was placed long ago by another dentist and now they find that there is decay in the tooth under that crown. Many ask us what can be done and if there is a way to clean out the decay and save the crown and underlying tooth. Unfortunately, the only option we have for dealing with this sort of situation is to remove the old tooth crown, remove the tooth decay, and make a new crown.
There is no way to get under the crown without removing it and doing what needs to be done to clean out the decay on the tooth and gums. An old crown cannot be reinstalled and one that had decay should not be used again for fear of spreading the contamination. It can be expensive since you are basically getting a whole new crown placed, but it is not worth the risk to your health and wellbeing to leave the decay untreated. The infection can kill the entire tooth, cause gum disease, and even spread throughout the jawbone and through the rest of the body if it gets bad enough! If the infection and decay are too severe the tooth may need to be removed and the gums may be too damaged for another crown.
In really bad cases the infection and decay can spread to other teeth making it necessary for more than one tooth to be treated or removed and may make more involved and costly procedures like a root canal to be needed. In these cases, replacing the crown is not an option and you will need to have an implant installed and a crown placed on that to fill the hole that is now left. This is why it is always best to get the issues addressed sooner rather than later and our dental team can help take care of decay in dental crowns quickly and easily.
How do you avoid tooth decay under a crown?
The easiest way to avoid getting decay underneath a crown is to pay close attention to the care of your crown, especially around the edges where it attached to the gums and the tooth. Food must not be allowed to remain stuck between the teeth and nothing should accumulate in the margins around the gums. This is the prime area where decay starts to set in and once it does it’s difficult to control from the outside. If you have any concerns or need special help taking care of your dental crowns or taking care of dental implants you may also have along with your crowns, we are here to help! Special cleaning tools may be needed to keep your crowns clean or you may need to alter your normal brushing routine slightly or other additions and changes may be needed. Here at Kopp Dental & Associates, our expert team of dentists and oral surgeons can answer any questions you may have and give you the tools and knowledge you need to fight decay in dental crowns while also taking care of tooth implants and other dental concerns you may have.
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Eventually, even the best tooth crown will eventually start to wear out and need to be replaced. Your teeth go through a lot of wear and tear every day and the crowns and implants you get will also be exposed to that same wear and tear. Even with meticulous cleaning and care, your crown will start to weaken and it will start to get discolored and need to be replaced in some way.
Normal wear and tear will not do that much damage you a crown for many years after it is placed, so as long as you take care of your mouth, follow good daily oral care routines, and keep all visits with your dental team you can enjoy your crowns and implants for years to come.
For more information on crowns and taking care of dental implants or if you are concerned about the possibility of decay in dental crowns you already have, call us today for a consultation appointment. Our team of dental care experts are ready to go to work for you!