4 Ways To Take Care Of Your Crowns

Dental crowns help protect weakened tooth enamel and cover cosmetic damage. If you have a dental crown on your tooth, maintaining your dental crown can help it last for years. Your dentist in Beavercreek, OH can offer you advice about how to take care of your dental crown once it’s installed. Below are some of the most important things you can do to maintain your crowns.

1. Brush Them Twice Daily

Hopefully, you’re already brushing your teeth twice each day. Your dental crown needs brushing too, to keep the area clean and prevent the gums from receding. Brush your dental crown twice each day with non-abrasive toothpaste. If you’re not sure which toothpastes are acceptable, ask your dentist for recommendations.

2. Avoid Chewing on Non-Food Items

Chewing on hard things like ice and pen caps can damage your dental crown. Avoid chewing on anything that isn’t food, to help protect the crown from becoming chipped or cracked.

3. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Scissors

Just as you’ll want to avoid chewing on anything that isn’t a non-food item, you also won’t want to use your teeth as scissors. Don’t use your dental crown to tear open packages.

4. See the Dentist Twice Annually

Continue to take good care of your teeth by seeing the dentist twice annually for dental checkups. During your checkups, your dentist will inspect your crown and let you know if it’s sustained any damage.

Do you need dental crowns in Beavercreek, OH? The dental professionals at Keep Smiling Dental can help. We provide safe, efficient dental crown installation to our patients. Call today to make an appointment.

Process of Getting a Dental Crown

Dental crowns are a standard treatment for restorative dentistry in Beavercreek, OH. They help restore the appearance, function, and durability of a natural tooth. Many reasons may cause a tooth to need a dental crown, including a crack, fissure, decay, or even cosmetic reasons. Here’s what you can expect if you find out that you need to get a dental crown.

Preparation of the Tooth

The natural tooth must first be prepared when you visit the dentist for your dental crown. This first entails giving you local anesthesia and a numbing agent so you can relax during the procedure. The tooth will need to be reshaped to make room for the crown. Otherwise, it would sit too high and interfere with your bite. After this, the dentist makes an impression of the tooth. This is a mold so that a dental lab can make a custom crown.

Temporary Crown

Since you’ll have to wait a few days or weeks for the dental lab to make and deliver your permanent crown, the dentist will fit you with a temporary crown. This is typically made from acrylic, which isn’t as strong as your permanent crown material. Therefore, you have to exercise caution about what you eat.

Fitting the Permanent Crown

Once your crown is ready, you’ll return to the dentist to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent one fitted. The dentist will check the fit, color, and bite before cementing the crown into place. Adjustments will be made to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.

As you can see, the process of getting a dental crown is quite straightforward and fast! To schedule your appointment for a dental crown, contact your Beavercreek, OH, dentist today!

Can a Veneer Be Placed on a Crown?

If you have an ailing tooth, adental crown in Beavercreek, OH, is the most highly recommended option. However, if you later decide to go with further cosmetic procedures to enhance your smile, certain questions can come up. One question in particular is whether veneers can be placed on dental crowns. Take a look at the answer, as well as a few extra considerations to remember below.

A Look at Veneers and Dental Crowns 

While veneers could technically be placed on a dental crown, the cosmetic procedure is typically not recommended. Veneers are designed to bond to the natural surface of tooth material and not dental crown material. Therefore, while a veneer could be placed on the front of a crown, the veneer may not be as stable or durable. However, there can be differences in the outcome depending on the type of crown and even the material used to make the veneers.

How Dental Crowns Are Treated When Veneers Are Installed on Other Teeth 

If you opt for veneers on your teeth, you may be advised to have the dental crown replaced to match your new veneers. If the dentist determines that veneer placement on the crown would not be a viable option, the best solution is to create a new crown that visibly matches the aesthetic appearance of the veneers. For example, if the veneers drastically change the size and shape of your other teeth, your crown could look out of place, too small, or misshapen without amendment.

Discuss Cosmetic Treatments with a Dentist in Beavercreek, OH 

When it comes to cosmetic procedures to enhance your smile, be sure to discuss all options at length with aBeavercreek dentist. Reach out to the Keep Smiling office to schedule a consultation to get started.

3 Signs of a Poorly Fitted Crown

When you first get a crown in Beavercreek, OH, no matter the reason, it can take a little while to get used to the new sensation in your mouth. No matter how well the crown fits, there will always be some degree of difference between it and your natural tooth. However, there are signs that the crown doesn’t fit properly, and it’s important to pay attention to the signs.

Sensitivity

Discomfort when you’re biting or chewing can be a sign that the dentist wasn’t able to get a strong enough hold on the crown. Obviously, if the crown is noticeably loose or wobbly, it’s important to contact the dentist and let them know what’s happening.

Gum Irritation

A poorly fitted crown can end up irritating the gums, which can cause inflammation over time. Again, it’s normal for the gums to be irritated when the crown is first placed, as your gums need to be adjusted to make room for the crown. If it continues, though, and the irritation can’t be traced back to wedged-in food particles from poor brushing or flossing, it may be a sign that your crown should be refitted.

Uneven Bite

An uneven bite is sort of like having a tiny pebble in your shoe while running a marathon. It might not cause a lot of discomfort at first, but it will eventually take its toll. If your bite feels strange while you’re chewing, it’s time to take it to a dentist in Beavercreek, OH.

Call a Dentist in Beavercreek

Dentists are humans who make mistakes, but it’s also important to choose a professional you can trust. If you’re looking to correct a problem, the staff at Keep Smiling Dental can help you figure out what happened and what can be done to fix it.