Your dental crowns will serve you well, but nothing lasts forever. Even if you are diligent with dental hygiene, there will come a time when they’ll need to be replaced. However, knowing when that needs to happen can be a bit difficult. Here are a few signs that your crown needs to be replaced.
Your Gums Are Receding
While dental crowns can’t decay, your teeth and gums are still vulnerable to developing oral health problems. If your gums are receding, that could be a sign of gum disease that has infected the area under your crown. You should be especially concerned if the gums around your restoration are inflamed. While there are several reasons your gums could be receding, it’s worth having a dentist take a look to make sure it isn’t an infection. In the worst case, your gums may have receded too far from your crown; it’ll need to be replaced.
You Have a Black Line Around Your Crown
This is an issue that sounds scarier than it is, but it could be a reason to replace your crown. Most modern restorations are made entirely of porcelain, but older models are usually made of porcelain attached to a metal base. “Porcelain fused to metal” (PFM) crowns were the most durable option available at the time, but have one drawback: if gums recede, the metal underneath can start to peek out. This manifests as a black line that edges out from under the gums. This isn’t a health issue, but if the appearance of it bothers you the only option is to have the crown replaced.
Your Crown Is More Than Ten Years Old
Even if you’re on the lookout for problems, some wear isn’t obvious to the naked eye. These microscopic nicks aren’t that big a deal on their own, but after a decade of buildup, there could be enough to lead to failure. It’s better to have your dental crown replaced at this point to prevent a dental emergency. At the very least, you should allow your dentist to take a good look at your restoration.
If you take good care of your dental crown, it should last you well over a decade. That said, being vigilant is the best way to make sure it stays secure for a long time to come.
About the Author
Dr. Sung-Hee Lee is a restorative dentist with over 12 years of experience in her field. Her favorite thing about dentistry is being able to see the results of her hard work reflected in the smiles of her patients. Dr. Lee obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Baylor College of Dentistry and is an active member of the American Dental Association. She prides herself on offering restorations made of the highest quality materials and customized perfectly to you. If you have any questions about caring for your dental crowns, Dr. Lee can be reached at her website or by phone at (972) 481-8800.