Why Do Teeth Need Crowns?

Why Do I Need A Dental Crown?

A dental crown, sometimes called a "cap," is a custom-made, permanent restoration used in restorative dentistry to protect and rebuild the appearance and function of your natural tooth:

1. To protect a tooth weakened by decay from breaking or following root canal therapy
2. To restore a cracked, broken, or severely worn tooth 
3. To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there is inadequate tooth left 
4. To hold a dental bridge in place
5. To cover misshapened or severely discolored teeth
6. To cover a dental implant
7. To cosmetically enhance your smile

Your crown can be made from one of several types of materials such as porcelain, metal, composite resin, or porcelain fused to metal. Your Fort Lauderdale dentist will choose a material based on several factors:  

• The location of the tooth. A crown placed on a molar tooth will undergo more force during chewing food and may wear down faster than a crown on a front tooth.
• Whether the patient grinds their teeth, bruxism. Grinding or clenching your teeth damage your crown just as it can your natural teeth.
• The condition and position of the gum tissue
• The patient's preference
• The shade or color of the tooth

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

On average, the lifespan of any dental crown is typically between 5 and 15 years depending on a number of factors: 

• Material.   Dr. Nancy Rotroff and Dr. Gerard Wasselle of Excellence in Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale have over 60 years combined experience in providing the highest quality dentistry.  Using the highest quality materials and top dental laboratories in the country for all of our dental restorations assures that our patients' crowns are not only natural-looking, they also will last a very long time.  
• Area of placement. A crown placed on your molars will receive more force when you chew food and may not last as long as a crown placed on anterior teeth. If you grind your teeth (bruxism), your dentist may place a gold crown to prevent your crown from breaking.
• Your oral health routine.  How you care for your dental crown, and all of your teeth, plays the largest role in your crown's lifespan.  Twice  daily brushing and daily flossing help keep your teeth and gums healthy.  At your dental check up appointment with your dentist in Fort Lauderdale, your dentist will check the condition of your crown and repair any damage that may have occured. Your professional dental cleaning with your hygienist is another key component of keeping your crowned tooth healthy.

My Crown Came Out! What Do I Do?

Your dental crown can fall off for a number of reasons such as:

• Decay:  The tooth underneath your crown is susceptible to dental decay and when decay advances, your crown will eventually come off.  Follow your dentist's and dental hygienist's advice and brush twice daily for two minutes and floss daily to prevent tartar and plaque from building up and damaging the underlying tooth structures.  How do you know when a crown needs to be replaced?  During your dental checkup, your dentist will review your xrays for signs of decay underneath your crown and advise when you need to replace your dental crown.
• Impact:  The  force of a heavy impact or trauma to the face can displace your crown. If you play any type of contact sports, always wear a mouthguard.
• Hard Foods: Biting down on especially hard foods, like nuts, seeds or ice, can damage your crown. Avoid these foods.
• Improper Fitting: If your crown was not properly attached or fitted to your tooth when it was seated, it will fall off more easily.  This is why selecting your dentist is so important.  While most dentists make crowns for their patients, selecting a dentist with skill and experience and who is not in a rush will result in a better outcome.  How do you find a great dentist? Look at what their patients are saying! 
• Teeth grinding:  Grinding your teeth, or bruxism, can damage both the tooth under your crown as well as the crown itself.  Bruxism will reduce the lifespan or your dental crown.  Your dentist can custom fit a mouthguard to protect your teeth.

Regardless of whether it is a permanent or temporary crown, you may ask how long can you go if your crown falls off? As your crown is designed to protect the tooth beneath, you should call your dentist in Fort Lauderdale and be seen as soon as possible to assess why your crown came off and have your dental crown replaced in order to protect your tooth.

If you need a crown, need a crown replaced, or are looking for a new dental provider, contact Excellence in Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale by calling 954-928-1666.  Our friendly staff will schedule your appointment, help with filing any dental insurance, and make sure you are comfortable when you visit our office.  We want your dental experience to be a pleasant one. 

If you are looking for a dentist who takes your insurance, visit our webpage for a list of insurances we accept.  If you don't see your dental insurance listed, contact our office at 954-928-1666 as we are in network providers for numerous PPO dental plans.