A dental crown is not a short-term stop gap protection for a tooth. Once placed, the restoration is meant to be permanent. Many patients equate crowns with cavity care – while they are often used to support teeth that have suffered advanced decay, they can help in other situations, too. For instance, a person whose tooth is functionally inhibited by damage can avoid losing their tooth, and eliminate difficulties biting and chewing, by having a crown placed. With good daily care, your dental crown can last for many years. That being said, if you do have a problem, do not hesitate to tell your dentist. A broken or lost crown will leave your tooth vulnerable.
Taking care of your dental crown after you receive it is as simple as keeping up with good daily oral care habits. Make sure you brush and floss regularly, and thoroughly. When you fail to clean your teeth properly, you leave them – and your crown – at the mercy of potentially harmful oral bacteria. You should also remember that a crown, while durable, can be damaged. Chewing on hard surfaces increases the risk you will damage this dental restoration.
If you experience an issue with a crown, alert your dentist to the problem, and seek a solution. They can provide you with a new crown, so that your tooth continues to enjoy support. They will also check on the crown’s condition during each routine dental checkup, and can let you know if it looks like it needs to be replaced.