5 Practical Ways to Prevent More Cavities
Cavities are common, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to prevent them. Here’s how a few simple changes can help you maintain a healthier smile long term.
How to Make the Most of Your Porcelain Crown
Dental crowns are among the most versatile tooth restorations, adding strength, protection, and aesthetic improvement to teeth damaged by decay or traumatic injury. Encircling your entire tooth down to your gum line, crowns are designed to last for years, but that doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from a little extra attention.
Novi Family Dentistry in Novi, Michigan, is a leading provider of beautiful, durable porcelain crowns, using the most advanced materials and techniques for optimal fit and the highest levels of patient satisfaction.
In this post, Abir Faraj, DDS, offers some simple tips you can use to make sure you get the most out of your new crown now and for years to come.
Dental crown basics
Before delving into crown care, it’s important to understand a little bit about the basics of dental crowns, including how they’re made and applied and when they’re recommended.
As noted, crowns are extremely versatile, with lots of applications. Crowns can be used to restore a tooth that’s been badly damaged by a large cavity, infection, or trauma, repairing damage and adding a layer of strength and protection to your tooth. They’re also used to hide large, dark fillings and deep discoloration for a more beautiful smile.
Crowns are often applied to teeth treated by root canals, once again increasing strength and durability after the interior pulp of your tooth is removed. Finally, crowns protect the teeth used to attach a dental bridge that replaces one or more missing teeth.
The crown process
Crown application typically takes a couple of visits. On your first visit, we prepare your tooth and make an impression that serves as a mold for your new crown. The impression, dental images, and measurements of your tooth are sent to the lab to create your crown. Finally, we apply a temporary crown to protect your tooth while your permanent crown is being made.
On your second visit, we carefully remove the temporary crown, along with any traces of adhesive. We apply your permanent crown using a stronger adhesive, gently shaping and polishing the crown surface for a comfortable fit and beautiful appearance.
Caring for your crown
Once your crown is in place, you can care for it like your natural teeth, but taking a few extra steps ensures it lasts as long as possible and looks great in the process.
Brush and floss regularly
Made of porcelain, a dental crown can’t decay, but the gums around your tooth can still be affected by food particles, plaque, and tartar. Twice-daily brushing with a soft-bristled brush and daily flossing help remove sticky plaque and the germs it contains, protecting your gums and preventing problems that could result in your crown loosening or needing to be removed.
End the daily grind
Many people grind their teeth (a habit called bruxism), often during their sleep, when they can’t do anything to stop it. If you have bruxism, wearing a night guard protects your crown (and your natural teeth) from excess wear and pressure that can lead to tiny cracks or crown breakage.
Skip hard candy
Your crown is strong, but it’s not impervious to damage. Chewing on hard candy, ice, or other hard foods or substances can crack or break your crown over time and cause damage to your natural teeth.
Don’t skip checkups
Those twice-yearly checkups are essential for preventing cavities and gum disease, and they’re also important for making sure your crown is in good shape. During your checkup, Dr. Faraj examines your crown for signs of damage so issues can be addressed right away.
If you have an issue, call our office
If you notice any pain in your tooth or pain or swelling in the gum surrounding your crown, don’t ignore these symptoms. Call our office right away so we can provide treatment to prevent more serious issues from developing.
Committed to your beautiful smile
Porcelain crowns play a critical role in restoring damaged teeth and improving smile aesthetics, and with just a little extra care, you can expect your crown to last for years to come.
To learn more about crowns and other treatments that can restore and protect your smile, book an appointment with Dr. Faraj and our team by calling 313-646-7903 or scheduling online today.
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