Dentists recommend dental crowns to cover their patients’ teeth that have sustained structural damage. These highly beneficial dental tools can provide long-lasting enhancement to the health and appearance of your smile.
Though strong, crowns can break or dislodge if exposed to abnormally high amounts of pressure. Accidents can happen, so you should understand what to do if this type of dental emergency occurs. Read on to learn about the durability of dental crowns and how to protect your dental work.
How Do Dental Crowns Protect My Teeth?
A dental crown consists of a ceramic cap that a dentist builds on an individualized basis for each patient. This cap covers a damaged tooth, fitting comfortably and securely since they are custom made.
The ceramic material is durable, so you do not have to worry about your dental work as you complete your usual oral functions and experience the inherent wear and tear. The cap will stop further harm like decay from impacting the tooth. It is sealed from external threats using dental cement.
The crown also prevents injuries like cracks or chips from deepening. Tooth breakage can put the interior of the tooth at risk of infection and other concerns. The cap will restore the structure and health of the tooth while also enhancing its appearance in your smile.
What Can Cause Damage to My Dental Crown?
Your dentist ensures a secure fit and a durable structure when they construct a dental crown. However, these restorative dental tools are not indestructible.
When exposed to immense pressure, a dental crown can dislodge or break. This puts the underlying tooth at risk of dental problems, and the patient may feel tooth sensitivity pain.
To protect your dental work, you should not bite down on hard-textured items like ice or the end of a pen. You should also stop grinding or clenching your teeth, as the grating of your teeth generates pressure that could disrupt a dental crown.
If you have this habit, ask your dentist for advice about ceasing this behavior. They may suggest that you wear a nightguard while you sleep to cushion your teeth against subconscious clenching and grinding actions.
What Do I Do If I Break a Dental Crown?
If you suffer damage to your dental crown, call your dentist as soon as possible. When your dentist gives you a crown, they must remove a small amount of enamel to make room for the cap.
This means that the underlying dentin becomes exposed if a crown no longer shields the tooth effectively. The tooth could then have a high risk of decay and other uncomfortable dental conditions.
You should consider this a dental emergency and seek prompt treatment from your dentist. They can replace the crown or construct a new one for you, providing a temporary fixture to protect the tooth in the meantime. When you call the dentist’s office, they can offer you advice about how to care for the tooth and the damaged crown before you arrive for an emergency appointment.