Dental Crowns South Portland

Does Getting a Dental Crown Hurt?

Not when we do it! Before we make any adjustments or treat your tooth, we’ll give you a local anesthetic, numbing the area. While we perform the preliminary work, you should feel completely comfortable! A few hours after we’re done, you may feel some mild soreness, but it should easily be managed with a pain reliever you find at any drugstore.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

The lifespan of dental crowns can vary from patient to patient. Typically, they go about 10 to 15 years before needing replacement, but sometimes they can last as long as 20 years! It depends on several factors, including your diet and habits. Chewing hard foods or biting on hard objects like pencils or ice can cause the crowns to degrade faster. How long your dental crown lasts will also depend on how well you take care of it.

Do Dental Crowns Require Special Maintenance?

Although the restoration will not develop cavities, the tooth structure underneath can become decayed without proper attention. Fortunately, maintaining them is simple. You take care of them just as you would natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing stop oral bacteria and plaque from harming your smile, and dental checkups and cleanings every six months allow our team to keep a close eye on your natural teeth and restorations.

How Can You Tell When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?

Supposing you continue to come in for your biannual checkups and cleanings, our dentists will identify the early signs that a dental crown should be replaced. However, sometimes it manifests in between these appointments. Your dental crown could have a black or gray line near the gumline, which could indicate that decay has reached the tooth underneath. If your restoration feels loose or comes out, the bonding material could be worn down, potentially meaning that you need a new crown.

What are Dental Crowns Made From?

At Dockside Dental, we opt to use the highest quality, safest materials for our patients, which is why we use dental ceramic to craft all of our restorations. This material is known to resist staining, be safe for those with metal allergies, and is able to mimic the natural appearance of teeth by reflecting light. Additionally, ceramic crowns are known for their durability, with the ability to last for over 10 years with good maintenance.

Do Dental Crowns Feel Natural?

At first, your dental crown may not feel like a natural extension of your mouth, and it can take some getting used to. However, after a couple of weeks, you should no longer notice your restoration. If you feel like it has disrupted your bite or it feels loose, call your dentist in South Portland immediately.

What Happens if You Wait Too Long to Get a Dental Crown?

Waiting to get necessary dental care, like a crown, can increase your chances of the problem spreading or becoming worse. For example, if you had a tooth infection and received root canal treatment, not receiving a dental crown would put the tooth at risk of becoming infected again. As a result, you may need even more extensive intervention, like a tooth extraction.

Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened?

Unfortunately, dental crowns cannot be whitened due to their non-porous nature. While this may seem like a drawback, it also comes with an advantage; your dental crown will also be resistant to staining. In order to whiten your restoration alongside your teeth, you’ll need to have it re-crafted.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you need a dental crown, you deserve to benefit from the best. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation for a metal-free restoration to restore a beautiful, healthy smile.