Answering the Most Common Questions about Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a false tooth that is usually made from ceramic or porcelain. The purpose of the dental crown is to replace a tooth that has been damaged due to incidents or tooth decay. While dental crowns are sturdy and can last for as long as a lifetime, if you are not careful, you may end up with a damaged dental crown. Keep reading below to learn more.

What Causes a Broken Dental Crown?

There are many ways by which you can end up with a broken dental crown. If you are not careful, the following are some of the ways by which you can lose or damage your dental crown.

1. Accidents

If you have a tooth that has had a dental crown fitted, there is a chance that it can break when you are involved in an accident. If you are involved in an accident and your crown is damaged, you will need to visit a dental clinic to have the broken crown replaced. The dentist may need to remove the damaged crown and replace it with a new one.

2. An Abrasion

If you are not careful, you can end up wearing away your dental crown by rubbing on different items. For instance, when you are eating your food, place the crown on the top and bite down on it. This will damage the crown as you will be applying pressure on the crown.

How to Avoid a Broken Dental Crown?

To avoid wearing away your crown prematurely, it is important that you are careful and avoid engaging in any activities that put pressure on your crown. Avoid eating like you normally would, since the crown may be damaged and the biting pressure will be more than the crown can withstand. Instead, chew on the side of the crown gently. If you need to brush and floss, ensure that you use gentle motions and keep the gum tissue around the crown free and clear. 

You should also be careful when engaging in rough activities, like sports, that could result in you getting hit in the face or jaw. If you do need to play sports, we recommend wearing a mouth guard for safety.

Can a Broken Dental Crown Be Repaired?

If you are unlucky enough to damage your dental crown, it is important to get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your natural tooth. Damaged dental crowns can cause you to experience pain, discomfort, and reduced chewing ability. Your dentist will need to remove the damaged crown and ensure that you do not have an infection before replacing it with a new one.

Although you can have a broken crown repaired, it may not be possible for your dentist to restore the cosmetic appeal of the crown if the damage is extreme. If you go through a major accident that damages your crown, then you may find that getting a new one is the best option.

Conclusion

If you are not careful, you can end up with a broken dental crown. It is important that you do not engage in any activities that put pressure on the crown because this will cause premature damage and wear. Keep your crown clean and free of dirt, and you should be able to keep it in good condition.

If you need dental services in Earlwood, you can contact The TLC Dentist. We make sure that with every service you have with us, you are comfortable and you leave the clinic feeling much better. Book an appointment with us today!