Why Does My Dental Crown Need to be Replaced?
Why does my dental crown need to be replaced?
If your dentist has recommended replacing a prior dental crown, you may think that a crown is a permanent restoration, so why is a new one recommended? While a dental crown is a pretty durable restoration, there are several common reasons they may need replacement.
The reasons for replacement can range from issues with the natural tooth to progressive wear from grinding or even cosmetic reasons. If you are in need of a new crown or perhaps just a second opinion, your Winter Park dentist is best positioned to help you understand the reasoning and next steps or timeline for a replacement of a dental crown.
Does a chipped crown need to be replaced?
One common symptom we see for crown replacement is chipping, fractures, or some type of damage to the crown itself. This is most common with older crowns where the “white” porcelain or other material has separated from the structure underneath (typically metal). While these older crowns provide some of the best protection for natural teeth, they are more prone to this kind of chipping over time and wear.
If the chipping or break is superficial, meaning it does not affect the health or risk of the tooth and is only cosmetically impacted, a replacement may only be necessary if it is causing a sharp edge to “cut up” the mouth or tongue or if the patient chooses to voluntarily replace it due to the appearance of a dark spot from the metal showing through.
If, however, the old crown that has been damaged is made of a single material like porcelain, ceramic, or composites – your Winter Park dentist will need to evaluate if the damaged portion is only superficial, perhaps causing a sharp edge which can be polished down, or if the damage is prone to additional breakage and risk to the natural tooth underneath. If additional breakage could affect the natural tooth, it is best to replace the crown before any further damage is done.
Why do I need a new crown after a root canal?
Sometimes, you won’t need a new crown after a root canal procedure. If you have an existing dental crown that covers prior decay and cavities but does not require a root canal treatment, a skilled endodontist can often perform the root canal “through” the existing crown. They can create enough access to perform their delicate procedure without damaging or removing the crown restoration you already have. In these cases, your Winter Park dentist could complete tooth restoration with only a “core buildup” procedure. This procedure uses composite filling materials to replace the portion of the natural tooth and crown that had to be removed to perform the root canal. It ensures the “core” of the tooth has sufficient strength to continue serving the patient's needs. This way, the existing crown is “saved,” and a new one is unnecessary. This can represent significant cost and time savings for the patient!
There are many cases where a new crown is needed after root canal procedures. Particularly cases where decay or cavities have grown underneath or around the existing crown. Often, the remaining tooth structure cannot bond properly to the old crown, and it must be removed to have the root canal procedure performed. In this situation, the endodontist will temporarily restore using a filling material. It will serve as sufficient protection until your Winter Park dentist can restore the structure of your tooth with both a core buildup and a new crown.
How did a cavity form underneath my existing crown?
You may be surprised if a dentist informs you a cavity has formed on a tooth with a dental crown. While the immediate thought may be that crowns are impervious to decay and bacteria-causing cavities – and this is true, the natural tooth underneath the crown is still just as susceptible to decay. There may be several reasons why a cavity has formed around a crown. Unfortunately, it is quite common to see poor daily oral hygiene as the root cause of cavities forming around or near crowns. This leads to the decay of the natural tooth to the extent that the bonding surface of the natural tooth has eroded and weakened the bond created by the original crown procedure. These often lead to areas “underneath” crowns, which can be hard or impossible to access with regular flossing and brushing – as a result, it can even accelerate the formation of a cavity.
In addition to hygiene habits, there are some other reasons that cavities form on crowned teeth. For example, poor-fitting or poorly designed crowns may have open areas or edges that are not completely sealed. These “defects” may provide additional surfaces for debris and food particles to accumulate, leading to ineffective brushing or flossing and the formation of cavities.
Wrapping it up
While crown restoration materials have come a long way, proper selection of the type of crown provides very durable restorations. Many factors can cause a crown to need replacement. The best preventative strategy is regularly visiting your Winter Park dentist for checkups and cleanings to address issues early – before a total replacement is required. Your daily hygiene routine should also include thorough brushing and flossing to minimize cavities from teeth with already effective crowns. As they have already had decay or damage in the past, it is at a higher risk of developing future issues.
If you need a second opinion or just a standard dental checkup to identify any issues with your existing dental crowns, please give our office a call or make an appointment online!