Getting dental crowns is a major dental restoration procedure.
Dental crowns are a godsend solution for damaged, decayed, unattractive, or
cracked teeth. Dental crowns help in restoring functionality in your damaged or
decayed teeth by making them healthy again. Dental crowns can last for decades
when fitted properly and maintained. If not, the lifespan of the dental crown
not only reduces but also directly affects the overall oral health of an
individual. It can lead to gum disease, cavities, jaw disease, and cracked
teeth. Here’s how you can tell if your dental crowns are fitting well.
Loose Crown
In an ideal scenario, if the dental crown is properly fixed to your tooth, it shouldn’t move more than your teeth (a slight movement is healthy). If the crown moves easily on the top of your tooth, it is a sign that the crown does not fit properly. The dental crown can fall out, but it also means that there is a space created between the tooth and the crown. This space can allow for bacteria and food to collect in it, thus resulting in tooth decay or damage under the crown leading to potentially serious infection.
Pressure on Surrounding Teeth
When the dental crown is too big for your tooth, it starts to put pressure on the neighboring teeth, and you will begin to feel pain in the teeth surrounding the crown. This pain can increase when you eat, drink, or grind your jaws together. Flossing between your dental crown and the neighboring teeth also becomes difficult. It is necessary to be able to floss around the crown to maintain healthy gums and prevent the gums from receding.
Inflames and Red Gums
If you notice the gums around your dental crown and surrounding teeth swelling up and turning red, it is a sign that something is not sitting right with your dental crown. A poorly fitting crown is a contributing factor to gum disease. It is necessary to get your dental crown checked at the earliest if you experience pain in your gums.
Inefficient or Painful Chewing
The dental crown plays a vital role in the function of chewing. If the dental crown is not fixed properly this could cause a problem. You may feel like your bite is off, or chewing is painful, or your teeth are coming in contact too soon. If you notice that you are taking longer to chew food than usual, or it's not as efficient as in the past, visit a dentist in Flagstaff as soon as possible.
Your Bite Does Not Feel Right
The dental crown should blend naturally with your tooth. It should not feel like an external device on your tooth when you bite or chew. You may feel the difference in your bite where the dental crown is fixed. It could feel like the teeth are not coming together properly, or you may experience pressure on the teeth opposite to the dental crown. You can also feel the difference in your jaws. Sometimes, you may experience soreness in your jaw muscles and the jaws may feel a little off. Do not ignore these symptoms. Visit the nearest dental clinic to you for immediate assistance. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to problems like tinnitus, headaches, neck pain, vertigo, and more.
On a side note, you may feel like your bite is off right after getting your dental crown, and it is normal. You must allow yourself some time to get used to the dental crown before assuming that something is wrong with your bite.
Food Particles Getting Stuck in Your Teeth
If your dental crown is loose, you will notice large chunks of food getting stuck between the neighboring teeth and your dental crown. It also causes the accumulation of food particles at the base of your dental crown resulting in the development of plaque that leads to tooth decay and gum disease.
Getting the right fit or your dental crown is essential for your overall oral health and smooth functioning of your teeth. It is not necessary that these problems should arise immediately after your dental crown procedure but can occur several months or years after the procedure. When you notice any change in the fit of your dental crown, visit a dentist near you as soon as possible.
For information on porcelain crowns near you, a dentist in Flagstaff is happy to help!
