Crowns, dental crowns to be specific, have been around for much longer than most people would think. Gold crowns were known to be used in what is today the Tuscan region of Italy dating back over two thousand years.
Since those early days, the dental crown has come a long way in terms of technological sophistication. But like the actual crowns of kings and other dignitaries, dental crowns do require care. That care, however, is not complicated, but is actually part of most good oral hygiene practices.
A dental crown, or cap, is a cover placed over a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed.
Crowns are applied to a prepared base when teeth are cracked or have been severely damaged by decay to the point where the crown can help hold the parts of the tooth together or replace areas of the teeth which have been removed due to decay. Crowns can also be used to cover discolored or misshapen teeth.
While the average crown should last five to eight years, with proper care some crowns have been known to last much longer 1. Dentist recommend brushing teeth at least twice per day. This is especially important for those who have dental crowns. Crowns themselves do not decay. They are generally made of all metal, zirconia, porcelain fused to metal, porcelain fused to zirconia or ceramic2. The tooth remaining underneath the crown however, can and often does, decay.
For those with crowns, the area at the base of the crown, commonly referred to as the gum line, is where the decay forms. For a crown then, brushing thoroughly at the base is more important than brushing the crown itself.
The area between teeth, which is hard to reach with a tooth brush is also a vulnerable spot and a place where tooth decay often occurs, especially for those who have dental crowns. That’s where flossing and using inter-dental cleaners becomes important.
Flossing at least once daily, when done correctly, removes food particles that stick to teeth creating colonies of bacteria called plaque, which harden into tarter and wear away at gums and bone, eventually causing tooth loss3. Inter-dental cleaners, have flexible bristles that fit between teeth and gently remove plaque, dislodge food and massage gums.
In the past, people have used wooden toothpicks to dislodge food between their teeth, however, wood toothpicks can splinter and require a trip to the dentist to remove those small splinters.
Dental crowns are quite durable, but it is also a good practice to avoid chewing on hard foods that can break or crack the crown. Avoiding teeth grinding, especially at night, is also important and can be minimized or eliminated by using a mouth guard.
As an extra layer of protection, those with dental crowns should use an oral rinse each day. Oral rinses break down plaque, making it easier to remove and creating a barrier that blocks plaque from forming on teeth. In some cases, especially where a person has multiple dental crowns and is at high risk for developing cavities, a dentist may prescribe a high-fluoride gel which is used each evening.
Understanding why good oral hygiene practices are important and adopting those practices on a daily basis, goes a long way in preventing tooth decay and extending the life of a dental crown. These good oral hygiene practices are also likely to produce another important result and that is preventing additional tooth decay — preserving the only set of adult teeth any of us will have in our lifetimes.
Sedki Dentistry, Commerce MI is a complete family dental clinic that offers services for all dental health concerns. Dr. Sedki and his experienced staff are professional and committed to providing uncompromised care to their patients. Maintaining long term dental health and a beautiful smile is their goal. Call Sedki Dentistry today and get started on a healthy, beautiful smile!
1 Crowning Glory: Keep Crowns Clean So They Last Longer, Delta Dental
Link: https://oralhealth.deltadental.com/22,Delta111
2 Crowns, www.colgate.com
Link: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/bridges-and-crowns/crowns
3 How Many Americans Floss Their Teeth? Steve Sternberg, U.S. News
Link: https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-05-02/how-many-americans-floss-their-teeth