Can A Tooth Under a Crown Be Infected?
What Is a Crown in Dentistry?
It is a dental appliance that repairs and rebuilds teeth. Dental crowns work by completely replacing damaged enamel. A dental crown will substitute the external part with new material if your tooth is cracked, broken, decayed, or worn down. In many cases, dental crowns feature porcelain, particularly in modern dentistry. However, you can have metal-based crowns like gold crowns.
How Do Dental Crowns Work?
Dental crowns encapsulate an entire tooth, serving as a replacement for the enamel. The procedure entails trimming off your enamel to remove the damaged part while making room for the porcelain restoration. After preparation, the dentist in Pittston will use dental cement on the crown to adhere it to the remaining natural tooth. The bonding process relies on lasers to cure the dental cement and strengthen the adhesion.
How Can a Dental Crown Protect Your Tooth?
If you have any problems with the exterior of your natural teeth, dental crowns are ideal for treating them. They can treat any of the following dental issues:
- Fractured tooth – especially if the chip, crack, or breakage has cost you most of your tooth structure.
- Filled tooth – when you have a cavity, your dentist is likely to treat your tooth using a dental filling. The size of the dental filling will determine whether or not you need a dental crown treatment for reinforcement. Usually, dentists install dental crowns over filled teeth if the filling material is too big that it can compromise the tooth’s structure.
- Weak and worn down teeth – dental crowns are the perfect restorations for strengthening teeth.
- Dental implants – after your surgery, you need another dental visit at Polit & Costello Dentistry for a crown installation. The dental crown will cover the implant to complete the tooth replacement treatment.
- Endodontic procedures – after a root canal treatment, some dentists prefer to crown the treated tooth, reinforcing its strength to boost its functionality.
How Durable Are Dental Crowns?
One of the reasons why dental crowns are popular in restorative dentistry is their durability. With proper dental care measures post-treatment, your tooth crowns can last up to 20 years or longer. However, several factors can impact the lifespan of your crowns, including:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Bad oral habits
- Teeth grinding
- Smoking and taking alcohol
- Dental infections
Why Is My Tooth Black Under the Crown?
One thing you must master about dental restorations is that they are not tamper-proof. If you are not keen to care for your teeth after your treatment, you will need retreatment. When you start noticing a black spot on the crown, it is an early sign of a failing dental crown. Black spots or streaks on your crown under the restorations can indicate the initial stages of cavity formation.
Any discoloration you notice after getting dental crowns indicates that bacteria has breached the tooth, and infection is underway. Therefore, do not hesitate to reach out to your dentist. If you seek treatment early, your dentist will lay out measures to prevent cavities and dental decay. However, if you delay treatment, you may need the advance and invasive treatment protocols like tooth extractions and dental implants.
How to Clean My Teeth Under a Crown?
It is not uncommon for bacteria to develop under your tooth crown. The damage begins along the margin where the dental crown meets your natural tooth. Call your dentist to schedule a dental cleaning appointment when you notice dark lines. You will need a comprehensive dental exam to ensure that a cavity has not already formed in your tooth under the crown. Besides, only a dentist can properly clean the tooth and the oral crown safely. Still, some other ways to care for your dental crown to prevent decaying are:
- Brush your teeth at least twice every day. Attend to the margins where plaque and bacteria can easily be trapped.
- Floss daily – flossing rids your teeth of the residue debris and food particles that gradually form into plaque.
- Watch what you eat – you need to avoid sugary and acidic foods, which encourage bacterial overgrowth and acids that damage tooth enamel.