A dental crown is a simple and convenient way of repairing a tooth damaged by either decay or breakage. It gives shape and size to the tooth, strengthens it and enhances its appearance. Permanent crowns are placed or installed over two different appointments. The first appointment involves an orthopaedist taking measurements that are later used to make the crown. In the same appointment, the dentist will install a temporary crown made from acrylic and held in place by use of temporary cement. This is because permanent dental crowns may take a period of two to three weeks to be complete. The other appointment involves the installation of the dental crown. There are a few ideals to remember if you are looking extend the life of the different dental crowns.
Temporary dental crowns
Temporary dental crowns are worn for a short period of time, mostly that is a fortnight or until the permanent ones are ready. The dentist may advise the following ways to care for them:
- Avoid hard food items – raw vegetables like raw carrots, hard nuts and other hard food stuffs are not encouraged when it comes to temporary dental crowns. These food items can dislodge or crack the crown.
- Avoid frequent use – minimise the use of the teeth where the dental crown has been placed. It is advisable to use the opposite side of the mouth to avoid damaging the temporary crowns.
- Do not consume sticky or chewy food stuffs – chewing gum, caramel, toffee or any other sticky or chewy food items are discouraged. This is because the food item may stick or attach itself to the dental crown and eventually remove it.
- Proper way of flossing – when flossing regular teeth, dentists advise that the floss be lifted up out from between the teeth to remove the food and plaque that settles there. However, this is not recommended for teeth with temporary crowns. To avoid detaching or dislodging the crown when flossing, gently slide out the floss from between the teeth.
Permanent crowns
Permanent dental crowns require slightly less maintenance than temporary dental crowns. Ways of taking care of them may include but are not limited to:
- Use of mouthwash – regular use of an antibacterial mouthwash is highly recommended. This not only kills the bacteria but also helps treat the area where the crown was installed.
- Avoid things that may damage the crown – clenching hard objects, unnecessary grinding of teeth, chewing hard or sticky food items, and using teeth to open bottles and packaging is highly discouraged. This will not only break or crack the dental crown but may also cause it to completely come off.
- Proper oral hygiene habits – brush teeth regularly or at least twice a day with a toothbrush containing soft bristles and toothpaste recommended by the dentist. Floss every day especially around the gum to avoid the build-up of tartar around the gums. Tartar is plaque or a bacteria-filled sticky film that has hardened over a while. It can only be removed through an uncomfortable procedure that involves the dentist scraping it off. Good oral hygiene will also prevent further damage to the teeth with crowns.