Is It Time for a New (Dental) Crown?

Are you wearing dental crowns? How long have you had them for? How do they look like now compared to when you first had them?

 

Dental crowns, like most other things, are subject to wear and tear, and in time, may need to be replaced.

 

But before jumping to that, how about a bit of information about crowns?

 

A dental crown is like a tooth-shaped cap that people wear to protect their existing tooth from further damage. As you can imagine, it also helps improve the appearance of one’s smile by making teeth look bright and well-maintained. A dentist willrecommend someone to wear a crown if one or more of his teeth are showing signs of heavy damage, including chipping, severe discoloration and disfiguration.

 

This procedure differs from veneers in such a way that the latter only covers the surface of your teeth that is exposed to the public. On the other hand, a crown covers an entire tooth’s surface from above the gums.

 

There are different types of dental crowns namely, ceramic, porcelain fused to metal, gold alloy and base metal alloy. Each has a set of pros and cons attached to it, and among them, the one most prone to wear and tear is ceramic—which is also the most widely-usedbecause of its natural look thatblends well with the rest of your teeth.

 

So, you got yourself a set of new crowns? How do you know when it’s time to have them replaced?As mentioned above, a crown—especially the ceramic kind—should last a person for a couple of years; enough to last someone the rest of his life even (FYI, all other types of crowns are sturdier and may never need replacement but are way costlier also). But as you know, that is not always the case. Depending on wear and tear, a person may need to have their crowns replaced.

 

A great rule of thumb is this: when you see chipping and heavy stains in your crown, or any damage for that matter that is enough to affect their function, it’s time to visit the dentist again for a replacement.

 

Dental crowns—especially ones done by highly-skilled, credible dentists—are such good investments. So be sure to take care of them by avoiding chewing ice and other food that can break them and grinding your teeth. Be sure to also brush them regularly.

 

Dr. Edward Beduya is a seasoned dentist and TMJ-specialist who has provided countless individuals with a second chance at a great smile using crowns and veneers. Visit him to know how you can take advantage of his services and enjoy the confidence of having beautiful, healthy teeth. Call (02) 354-5388 to book an appointment. Beduya Dental Clinic is located atUnit 110 Pacific Regency, 760 Ocampo St, Malate, Manila, 1004.