Signs You Need to Replace Your Crowns

Dental crowns are tooth-colored caps composed of materials like metal or porcelain. They’re placed over top of your natural tooth if it’s broken, chipped, or severely stained.  

Studies show that in 95% of cases, dental crowns last five years, and in 50-80% of cases, they last up to 20 years. But crowns aren’t permanent or indestructible, so what happens if your crown breaks or wears out?

At our practice in Santa Monica, California, restorative dentistry expert Jason Ray, DDS, and the rest of our team understand that dental crowns sometimes need to be replaced. Even with the utmost care, a crown can break or simply wear out over time.  

In this month’s blog, we’re reviewing some signs that it might be time for your crown to be replaced. 

The crown is cracked

Dental crowns can crack or break for various reasons. You might break a crown biting down on something hard, or it may start to crack on its own after years of wear and tear. But no matter the reason, as soon as you notice cracks or breaks, call Dr. Ray so he can repair it right away, since any sharp edges could damage the inside of your mouth.

If your crown is fairly new and the cracking is mild, Dr. Ray might simply patch the crown; however, if the crown is old and the damage is extensive, we can replace it with our CEREC® same-day crown technology. 

The crown is loose 

A loose and wiggly crown is not only annoying but also dangerous for your oral health. Sometimes, the adhesive that holds your crown in place can wear away, and that creates a space between the crown and your natural tooth, providing a perfect entrance for bacteria to come and infect your tooth. 

Don’t try to reapply an over-the-counter dental adhesive to reattach the crown, since this can be incredibly dangerous. Instead, contact us as soon as you notice the crown is loose, so we can either re-attach it or completely replace it. 

The crown falls out

If the crown adhesive wears away completely, the loose crown can turn into a missing crown. 

Should your crown come off (or get knocked out), start by gently cleaning it with fresh water and then call our team to have your crown put back on or replaced. 

You have bad breath

Even though some breaks or cracks in your crown are fairly obvious, some can be quite small and easy to miss. If the integrity of the crown has been compromised, bacteria can get inside the crown and cause cavities, tooth decay, or infection. 

One sign of tooth decay or infection is a bad taste in your mouth or bad breath. It’s important to never ignore bad breath or bad tastes in your mouth, so as soon as you notice it, contact Dr. Ray so he can identify the cause and address it. 

Recognize any of the signs that your crown needs to be replaced? Contact our office quickly to schedule an appointment to have your crown repaired or replaced. You can book your visit by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.