03
Nov
What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Dental Crown Issues? Dr. Maegan Elam Explains
A dental crown is a tooth prosthetic used to correct damage or decay that’s too pronounced for a dental filling. While dental crowns are designed to last 10-plus years, they can develop problems before their expiry date. Maegan Elam, DDS & Associates, serving Bedford, Texas, and its environs, explains various dental crown problems you will likely encounter so that you can take corrective actions before it’s too late.
Common dental crown problems
Well-maintained porcelain crowns can last ten years and some up to 15 years without replacement. Even though dental crowns are long-lasting, sometimes, you can encounter problems halfway through the journey. Be sure to contact Dr. Maegan Elam when you notice the issues below with your dental crown.
Dental Crowns Before and After Results
- Tooth decay: While the dental crown can’t suffer from decay, the tooth underneath is vulnerable to cavities and other problems. Failure to observe diligent oral hygiene exposes the underlying tooth to decay, compromising the integrity of the dental crown.
- Poor crown placement: A poorly fitted crown can mess up your bite, affecting your chewing ability. Sometimes, it can even lead to teeth grinding and increase the risk of bacteria creeping inside your tooth. A poorly placed crown can only be corrected by a dentist.
- Tooth sensitivity: It’s normal to experience mild sensitivity immediately after the placement of a dental crown. Since installing a crown involves enamel shaving, you may experience mild discomfort for a few days until your crown is well seated. However, if the sensitivity doesn’t go away or increases, it means the crown isn’t covering the entire tooth. This must be checked by a dentist to assess the crown’s fit.
- Allergic reactions: Although rare, some patients can react to the crown restoration. This commonly occurs when the restoration is gold or metal-based. Fixing this problem involves replacing the metal crown with a ceramic alternative.
- Cracked or fractured crown: Although your crown is resilient, it isn’t indestructible. Like your natural teeth, biting on hard substances, dental trauma, and teeth grinding can break or fracture your crown. Minor chips are repairable, but pronounced breakages require a full replacement.
Have you encountered a dental crown problem and don’t know what to do next? Don’t stress out! Please contact Maegan Elam, DDS & Associates by dialing (817) 283-2871. Let us be your go-to office for all your dental crown solutions.
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Dr. Maegan Elam is a highly sought-after dentist in Bedford with a talent for easing dental anxiety. Graduating with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Hardin-Simmons University, she worked as a dental assistant for a year before obtaining her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She is a part of the American Dental Association, the State of Texas Dental Association, and the Fort Worth District Dental Society. Dr. Elam has completed advanced training in offering oral-conscious and nitrous oxide sedation to help patients have peaceful dental experiences. She has a conservative approach to providing excellent dental care and believes in preserving natural tooth structure whenever possible.