The crown of a tooth is the part that is visible above the gum line. One of its purposes is to protect the sensitive inner parts where the canals and nerve endings are housed. Thus, it’s a bad idea to ignore a break in the crown, as it can lead to some serious problems. As you read further, a local dentist explains the danger of waiting to have a new dental crown in Park Slope placed, and how your oral health can be restored.
What Can Happen if a Broken Crown is Ignored
If you have a broken crown, then it can leave the door open to food particles and bacteria entering the sensitive areas of your tooth. This can result in a painful infection that could require a root canal to restore your dental health. Even worse, ignoring a broken crown could lead to a toothache or abscess, tooth loss or advanced gum disease.
How a Crown is Restored
Before restoring your broken crown, a dentist will first check to make sure you don’t have any encroaching bacteria that need to be addressed. Once that hurdle is crossed, he or she will take a bite impression of your teeth to form a model that an in-network lab will use to fabricate a new crown. To protect your tooth while you wait on the permanent restoration to be created, the dentist will fit you with a temporary covering.
When the permanent crown returns from the lab, you’ll be invited back to the office to have it bonded into position with the aid of dental cement. Not only will your tooth be fortified, but you’ll also have an aesthetically pleasing smile.
How to Protect Your Crown Restoration
Once your tooth is restored to normal, the last thing you want is to have to deal with the same issue again. Here are some ways to protect your replacement crown:
- Avoid eating harder foods like nuts and seeds or attempting to chew ice.
- Brush and floss at least two times a day to prevent the accumulation of oral bacteria.
- If you participate in any type of sports, have a custom mouthguard made to absorb the pressure from any sudden impact.
An additional way to get more longevity from your new crown is to maintain regular visits to your dentist in Park Slope for checkups and cleanings. Therefore, if there are any issues on the horizon that could compromise your restoration, they can be addressed earlier. Furthermore, the appointments will help to keep decay-causing oral bacteria and plaque at bay.
Ultimately, you can never go wrong with being proactive about your oral health. As time goes by, you’ll be able to appreciate it even more!
About the Author
Dr. Frank J. Sapienza received his dental degree from the New York University College of Dentistry. Even after decades of experience as a dentist, he still pursues more knowledge by taking numerous hours of continuing education annually. A member of the Dental Society of the State of New York and Second District Dental Society, Dr. Sapienza restores broken crowns at The Dental Spa of New York, and he can be reached for more information through his website.