If you have a dental crown, you know what a valuable role they play in modern dentistry. Crowns offer patients the opportunity to cover and protect a damaged or decayed tooth with a beautiful replacement that blends in with your smile and restores your full range of chewing and biting. With proper care, crowns can last for many years.
If you need a dental crown or dental crown replacement in Buford, GA, visit us at Lake Lanier Smiles. We provide quality dentistry at affordable prices, even for patients who are not covered by dental insurance. Call us today at (770) 831-0559 to learn about our special offers.
Dental crowns are a wonderful resource for repairing damaged teeth, but they don’t last forever. The lifespan of a dental crown is typically between five and 15 years. With today’s more durable materials, crowns can last a very long time–some have been known to last up to two decades. However, most crowns will need replacement within 15 years, due to wear and tear.
Signs You Need Dental Crown Replacement
How can you tell if your crown needs to be replaced? The truth is that you may not be able to tell on your own. As years pass, small changes to the surface and fit of the crown may feel normal and you may not notice small cracks. If the crown is located in the back of the mouth, you may not see any visible signs of damage to indicate a problem. It’s always best to come see one of our dentists at Lake Lanier Smiles, so we can assess the situation.
Make an appointment if you notice any of the following:
- the crown feels worn down on the chewing surfaces
- a crack in the crown
- gum tissue is pulling away from the crown
- pain when chewing
- an intermittent toothache in the crowned tooth
- a feeling that the crown is getting looser
- changes to the way your teeth fit together when you bite down
When a dental crown has been damaged, it’s imperative that patients have them replaced. A damaged crown can leave the tooth below vulnerable to decay and can also contribute to the development of gum disease.
Even undamaged dental crowns tend to collect plaque at the margins where the crown meets the tooth. If not cleaned away with regular dental cleanings, this plaque can contribute to the development of cavities in the underlying tooth and lead to bacteria colonizing the gum tissue. Even though your smile may still look flawless, there could be decay beneath the crown that may spread and harm the health of the tooth.
If you’ve had a dental crown for more than five years, or if something just doesn’t feel right, you should definitely have it checked for signs that it might be failing.
Get the Quality Dental Care You Deserve
At Lake Lanier Smiles, we provide affordable quality dental work to patients in Buford, GA. We emphasize conservative treatment, which means we will never try to push unwanted treatments or more expensive options. If you are not covered by dental insurance, ask about our specials, as they offer lower prices than you will find at most dental offices. We also accept CareCredit financing, a consumer credit program that allows patients to pay medical and dental expenses over a period of months at much lower rates of interest than standard credit cards.
If you are looking for a dental office where excellence meets affordability, contact our office today online or give us a call at (770) 831-0559.
