Learning to Manage Your Dental Problems

Tips for Proper Porcelain Crown Maintenance

19 December 2016 by Charlotte Beck

Modern dentistry can not only help to restore tooth function and oral hygiene after a tooth has suffered injury or decay, but it can also restore your smile. Porcelain dental crowns are especially effective at boosting dental aesthetics after a tooth has been chipped, discolored or stained. This is because they are essentially made from a material that can be matched to look like your other natural teeth, giving you a natural-looking smile.

As great as they are at dental restoration, porcelain crowns tend to be fragile, and proper care is needed to ensure they don't break off or get chipped. Read on to learn the proper steps to porcelain crown maintenance and what to do if your crown comes loose. 

How to care for your porcelain crown 

Typically, crowns are bonded over natural teeth using dental cement, protecting the inner tooth from further decay or sensitivity. It is therefore important that you maintain proper dental hygiene so as not to expose your crown to bacterial that could lead to tooth decay. Brushing and flossing regularly can help preserve healthy teeth and gums that offer a good foundation for the porcelain crown. Regular checkups with your dentist are also vital, as they can help catch the onset of tooth decay or gum disease so that preventive action can be taken before the crowned tooth deteriorates further.

Another important thing to remember is to avoid chewing hard foods or objects that would dislodge or break the crown. Chewing ice, candy or opening bottles with your teeth can put extreme pressure on your dental restoration, causing them to break. You should also avoid chewing your fingernails, pencil tips or pen lids to avoid chipping your crown. If you clench your teeth at night, consider wearing a custom-fitted mouth guard to help protect your crown and other teeth from getting worn down. 

What to do if a crown comes loose

Despite your best efforts to keep them intact, dental crowns can break off due to underlying decay, intense biting pressure or trauma. The first thing to do when your crown comes off or breaks is to remove it from your mouth and place it on a container. Your dentist may be able to reattach the crown on the tooth with dental cement, so do not throw it away.

Next, refrain from chewing anything with the affected tooth, as the underlying pulp can get injured without the protection of the crown. Finally, keep the area clean by rinsing it with water and schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can. 

To learn more or receive further assistance, contact clinics like Sunnyside Dentistry for Children-David E Doyle, DDS.

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