Crown patients should know what to expect and the best ways to care for the crown in the future. This article will cover the most important aspects, such as caring for temporary and permanent dental crowns and recommended oral care and dental checkups.
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Temporary crowns between appointments
In the standard dental crown procedure, there is a waiting period of about two weeks between the two dental appointments in order for the dental crown to be made to fit the person’s bite. During this period, a temporary filling or crown is usually placed, which requires special care.
Patients should be advised to continue eating and brushing their teeth normally. However, flossing should be avoided as this can cause the temporary filling or crown to dislodge. Patients should also be aware that it is normal to experience some sensitivity to temperature and sweet foods and may also experience discomfort during this time.
Appropriate use of a permanent crown
It is important for patients to realize that a prosthetic device such as a dental crown cannot match the strength and durability of a healthy natural tooth. Therefore, it should be treated and used with caution.
The crown should not be subjected to excessive pressure during the chewing process. Avoiding very hard foods such as nuts and hard bread can help prevent crown fractures.
Recommended oral hygiene
A properly fitted dental crown has a long life expectancy of 10 to 15 years, but only if adequate maintenance practices are followed. Therefore, it is important for patients undergoing a dental crown procedure to be informed about the best methods of caring for the dental crown and other teeth to increase the lifespan of the restoration.
One of the most important factors to consider in properly maintaining a dental crown is following good oral hygiene practices to keep teeth clean and reduce the risk of plaque and tooth decay.
Every time a person eats, dental plaque begins to build up on the surface of the teeth, particularly near the gum crevices. If this plaque is not removed in time, it can cause a number of negative effects such as gingivitis and gum recession. This can be aesthetically unattractive and cause pain, particularly if infection occurs.
In particular, it is important for patients to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss daily.
Do crowns require special care?
Regular dental checkups
Even with proper oral care, it is still possible for complications to affect some patients. For this reason, regular dental checkups are important to monitor the health of the dental crown and surrounding teeth so that action can be taken if necessary. Patients usually need check-up appointments twice a year, although this will depend on the specific condition.
These tests allow the dentist to closely examine the crown and check for any signs that there may be a problem with it or the surrounding teeth. Dental restorations can also be professionally cleaned and plaque or tartar removed.
If patients notice any tooth discomfort that lasts more than a few days between appointments, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with the dentist to investigate the situation. In the event that the crown breaks or falls out, it is essential that patients do not attempt to replace the crown themselves and that dental advice is sought immediately.
