Caring for Your New Crown: Essential Tips for Longevity

Dental crowns are the best way to repair and strengthen damaged teeth. With a crown from Dr. Stephanie Loller and our dental team, you can get back to your daily routine, smile proudly, and eat your favorite foods.

‍

But once you get your crown, how do you protect it and make sure it stays strong for years to come? In this guide from Inspira Advanced Dentistry, we’ll go over the basics of dental crowns, give you a few tips to prolong your new crown’s lifespan, and answer a few FAQs, too. 

Understanding Dental Crowns

Dental crowns, also sometimes called “caps,” are hollow false teeth. They are designed to cover up and protect a damaged tooth, replacing it all the way down to the gum line. For all intents and purposes, a dental crown functions just like a new tooth!

‍

Because crowns cover up the entire tooth structure, they provide excellent protection and are very strong. This makes them ideal for a wide variety of purposes, including:

‍

• Restoring a tooth with extensive tooth decay (cavities)
• Replacing old or large dental fillings
• Repairing chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
• Protecting a tooth after root canal therapy
• Covering up a severely stained tooth
• As a cosmetic alternative to veneers in some cases

‍

There are lots of different materials that can be used to make crowns. Gold crowns were very common in the past, but have mostly been replaced with porcelain ceramic crowns. 

‍

Porcelain crowns are extremely strong, can be matched to the natural color of tooth enamel, and offer excellent overall durability and protection. 

CEREC Same-Day Crowns

We know your time is valuable. That’s why Inspira Advanced Dentistry is proud to offer CEREC® same-day crowns, the most advanced, convenient way to restore your smile. Most dental offices still require at least two appointments (and weeks of waiting) for a traditional crown. But with our in-office CEREC milling system, your crown is designed, created, and placed in just one visit.

Here’s how our process is different and better for you:

• No Messy Impressions: Instead of old-school, goopy impression material, we use a digital iTero intraoral scanner to create incredibly precise 3D models of your teeth that is fast, clean, and comfortable.
• No Temporaries: Traditional crowns require a temporary crown that can fall off or feel awkward. With CEREC, you leave your appointment with your final, permanent crown that looks and feels natural.
• Tailored, High-Quality Results in One Day: Our team digitally designs your crown for a perfect fit and natural look, then mills it onsite with pristine dental porcelain. No lab is required.
• Minimally Invasive and Comprehensive: Our CEREC workflow is gentle on your mouth and, guided by our comprehensive whole-person approach, designed to keep your gums and bite healthy for the long run.

Learn more about CEREC same-day crowns here.

Essential Oral Hygiene Tips for Crown Care

One of the best things about dental crowns is that they don’t really require any special care. When it comes to oral hygiene, you can treat your new crown just like a natural tooth. In case you need a refresher, this means that you should:

‍

• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste – Brush twice a day for two minutes using a manual or electric toothbrush. We recommend brushing once in the morning and once at night after your final meal or snack of the day. Spend at least two minutes brushing the fronts, tops, and backs of each tooth.
• Floss once daily – Daily flossing helps remove debris buildup from between your teeth. Toothbrushes can’t reach these particles, so flossing is essential for protecting your natural teeth and your crown, too. If you really don’t like flossing, you can invest in a water flosser, but traditional dental floss is still the most effective way to clean between your teeth.
  
  
• Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash – You shouldn’t rinse right after you brush your teeth, because this can rinse away the fluoride that helps strengthen your enamel. Instead, we recommend rinsing after you floss each day. This helps you rinse away any debris loosened by flossing. 

Maintaining Your Crown – Top Tips For Long-Lasting Results

A dental crown is a big investment. So if you’re interested in protecting your dental crown and keeping it in great shape for as long as possible, here are a few more dental maintenance tips you can follow to maximize its lifespan:

‍

• Get a night guard if you grind your teeth – Tooth grinding can cause damage to your natural teeth and your crowns, too. If you grind your teeth at night, getting a custom-fitted night guard from Inspira Advanced Dentistry is definitely a good idea. Your night guard will cushion and protect your teeth from damage due to nighttime grinding.
• Avoid eating gummy and sticky foods – The most important foods to avoid with crowns are super sticky, gummy foods like taffy and gummy candies. These can eventually loosen your crown from your tooth. These foods are also major contributors to tooth decay, which can also cause premature crown failure.
• Quit using tobacco or nicotine – Quitting smoking, vaping, or using any other type of product like chewing tobacco or nicotine pouches is one of the best things you can do for your oral health. All types of tobacco and nicotine products are associated with a higher risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.

The Importance Of Regular Dental Visits After A Crown

Porcelain crowns are super strong and durable, and they don’t get stained, either. But they don’t last forever. The longevity of dental crowns is usually between 10-20 years with proper care. But when they fail, this can expose the underlying tooth and raise your risk of tooth decay.

‍

This is why it’s important to continue seeing your dentist at Inspira Advanced Dentistry after you get your crown. Six-month oral exams ensure that your crown is in great shape, and routine teeth cleanings help remove any plaque or tartar that builds up on your new tooth, too. 

‍

If your dentist does notice any signs that your crown may be loose, damaged, or worn out, they can take action right away. This helps prevent tooth decay and infections, and saves you time and money, too!

Answering Your FAQs About Dental Crowns

‍

1. Can I eat normally with a dental crown? Yes. Your dental crown should not interfere with eating any of your favorite foods. However, if you like eating really sticky or gummy foods, we recommend chewing on the opposite side of your mouth from the crown. This helps prevent your crown from coming loose!

‍

2. How long should I wait to eat after getting a crown? You can eat right away! However, we recommend holding off on meals that require chewing until your numbing wears off. If you try to chew right after your crown, you may end up accidentally biting your lips or cheeks.

‍

3. How do I know if my crown needs replacement? The best way is to ask your dentist! During your six-month visits with your dentist at Inspira Advanced Dentistry, they will be able to tell if your crown is wearing out. There are some other clues, too. If you notice that your crown is cracking, chipped, or loose, it should probably be replaced ASAP!

‍

4. What are the signs of a crown becoming loose? If you can feel your crown shifting when you bite or chew, or you can move it around with your tongue or your fingers, it’s definitely loose. You should come and see your dentist at Inspira Advanced Dentistry as soon as possible to have it re-attached. As long as the underlying tooth is still healthy, there’s usually no need to replace it with a new crown.

Need A New Crown? Come To Inspira Advanced Dentistry!

Whether you need to repair a damaged tooth or replace a worn-out dental crown, Dr. Stephanie Loller and the dental team at Inspira Advanced Dentistry are here to help. Our team of restorative dentistry experts can restore your smile, your bite, and your self-confidence with a lifelike, durable, and long-lasting porcelain crown in Campbell, CA.

We’re always accepting new patients, and we’d love to meet you and discuss your options for restoring your smile. Give us a call at (408) 298-0777 or book your first consultation online to see the Inspira difference for yourself.