Dental Crowns – Lexington, MA

There are several ways you can tell when it’s time to have your dental crown replaced. For example, if you:

• Notice pain, it may be that dental decay has formed underneath your crown and needs to be removed. Treating a cavity is essential to prevent a root canal or tooth extraction. Once the tooth is treated, we can decide how to re-bond or replace the dental crown.
• Feel it is unstable, as eating sticky or chewy foods can cause the crown to loosen.
• Notice a dark line at the base of the crown, as this can indicate significant wear and tear.
• Believe your crown to be damaged or discolored, which can occur over time because of daily wear and frequent exposure to pigmented foods and beverages.

Getting a dental crown is unlikely to cause any pain because of the local anesthesia you will receive before treatment begins. Your dentist will start by numbing your mouth, so you do not feel any discomfort during your new tooth procedure. Although you may feel some slight soreness in the days following your appointment, it should not last long and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Dental crowns are not made of porous material, so they cannot develop cavities. However, this does not mean that you can dismiss your normal oral hygiene routine. In fact, you will need to be mindful of your daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing habits to prevent tooth decay and gum disease from developing and harming your new restoration.

Most dental crowns in Lexington can last 5-15 years, depending on several factors, including the material used to make your crown and how well you care for it. Generally, metal crowns have a longer lifespan than those made of metal-free materials; however, this is not always the case. Your diet, oral hygiene, and lifestyle habits can also affect how long you can expect your crown to last.

Also, where your crown is placed makes a difference: those placed toward the front tend to have a longer lifespan than those placed over chewing teeth toward the back.