Dental Crown Aftercare
Whether you suffer from tooth loss or require high-quality restorations, Dr. Jose Valenzuela, Jr. provides expert dental care. His Los Algodones, Mexico, practice serves the greater Mexicali area. He’s helped patients here and across the border experience the joys of a healthy smile.
Dental crowns can protect damaged teeth and cap dental implants for single-tooth replacement. Proper dental crown aftercare allows these caps to last for many years. Let’s consider some of the basics of caring for dental crowns. This will help you maintain the strength and beauty of your restorations for as long as possible.
Caring for Temporary Crowns
While our practice offers same-day dental crowns, patients who want zirconia restorations will need to have temporary crowns placed. This gives the dental lab sufficient time to craft the zirconia restorations.
Temporary crowns are only worn for about two weeks. During that time, we recommend the following:
· Chew on the opposite side of your mouth
· Try to avoid crunchy and crispy foods
· Avoid sticky candies and foods
· Continue to brush and floss regularly
These tips will prevent the temporary crown from becoming dislodged and help avoid discomfort.
How Long Will a Custom Dental Crown Last?
On average, a dental crown can last up to 15 years. With new materials and proper aftercare, crowns can potentially last up to 30 years.
The Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Center uses high-quality porcelain and zirconia when crafting dental crowns. This helps ensure long-lasting benefits for our patients.
Cleaning a Dental Crown
When you have a permanent crown in place, it’s important to keep it clean. While crowns are not subject to cavities, plaque and bacteria can still build up around the restoration.
Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss at least once a day. When brushing your teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Soft bristles are less abrasive, and will not wear down the crown material. In addition, try to use a non-abrasive gel toothpaste to prevent wearing down the crown and your natural teeth.
Bad Habits to Avoid
Certain bad habits can increase the chances of a crown breaking or experiencing premature wear. Try to avoid these bad habits:
· Biting your nails
· Nibbling on drinking straws and pen caps
· Chewing on ice cubes
· Using your teeth to open packaging
Avoiding these bad habits reduces the amount of stress placed on your dental crown.
Protecting Your Crown
Trauma to the mouth, face, or head can lead to a crown becoming cracked or dislodged. The same is true of the stress placed on a crown from someone who grinds their teeth (bruxism).
To protect your crown from damage, be sure to wear a mouth guard, helmet, or face protection when engaging in any activities in which oral injuries are possible. If you suffer from teeth grinding, be sure to seek dental treatment that will reduce the damage done to your smile and any dental restorations.
What Should I Do if My Crown Is Damaged or Comes Loose?
If you ever experience damage to your crown, or if your crown comes loose, it’s crucial that you come to the practice as soon as possible. We can reset your crown, or create a replacement restoration if the crown cannot be fixed.
Learn More about Dental Crowns
For more information about dental crowns and how you can have a healthy smile, we encourage you to contact our dental practice online. You can also call the Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Center in Los Algodones at (866) 223-6147.
