Dental Crowns Complications: Dangers That May Occur With Treatment

Dental crowns are a common dental treatment provided to patients to address various dental problems. While they are very effective in restoring your teeth, some complications can occur. Read on as Narre Warren Dental Care discusses some complications you may experience when getting dental crowns.

What Are the Possible Complications Associated With Dental Crowns?

Crowns are one of the most popular dental prosthetic devices for teeth restoration. They look just like your normal teeth and can be used to restore the strength and function of a tooth damaged by decay or injury. Like any other dental procedure, there is always a risk of complications such as:

• Allergic Reactions. The most common material used for dental crowns is porcelain, but other materials, such as gold and metal alloy, are also used. Patients rarely experience an allergic reaction to gold or metal-based crowns, but they can occur. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include itchiness, redness, inflamed soft tissue, and hives. Avoid this risk by choosing a crown material that’s safe for all patients, such as zirconia.

• Infection Around the Crown. In rare cases, an infection can occur under a dental crown. This is due to bacteria trapped beneath the crown. An infection can cause severe pain, so it’s important to deal with it immediately. Symptoms of an infection include sharp pain in the affected area, swelling, redness, and fever. If an infection occurs, the removal of the dental crown and root canal treatment might be needed.

• Gum Disease. This occurs if you have poor oral hygiene or if the dental crown does not fit properly and causes plaque to accumulate underneath it. If you have gum disease, it can cause your gum tissue to pull away and bone to shrink. This results in the exposure of the tooth root, which can lead to the tooth loosening and falling out.

• Loose Crowns. This complication usually results from poor dental hygiene, grinding teeth or gum disease. If the crown becomes loose, it can fall out and need to be replaced. See a dental health professional as soon as possible when this happens so they can determine and address the cause of the problem and re-cement or replace the crown if needed. Loose crowns are also a possible complication with temporary crowns.

• Sensitivity. After the dental crown procedure, your teeth may become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. This is because the tooth enamel is thinner, and the nerve is closer to the surface. The tooth sensitivity should subside after a few weeks, but you should see your dentist if it doesn’t.

• Crown Fractures. This usually happens when the crown is too thin or not properly bonded to the tooth. Metallic crowns are less likely to fracture than composite resin or porcelain crowns, but they can still happen. If your crown fractures, see your dentist immediately to have it replaced and avoid permanent damage to your tooth.

• Cavities. If you have a cavity under your dental crown, it can cause your tooth to crack or break. This is because the tooth is weak, and the crown puts extra pressure on it. It’s important to address the cavity and have good oral health before getting fitted for dental crowns.

• Ill-Fitting Crowns. Ill-fitting crowns are another common complication caused by several factors, including inaccurate impressions, incorrect crown placement, or tooth movement during the dental crown procedure. If the crown does not fit properly, it can cause discomfort and even damage the tooth. Additionally, an ill-fitting crown can trap pieces of food under the crown, which can lead to other issues.

• Chipped Crown. Your dental crown can become chipped from biting down on something hard, grinding your teeth, or having an accident. If the chip is small, your dentist may be able to fix it with composite material. However, if the chip is large, you may need to replace the entire crown. Chips are most common in porcelain and all-ceramic crowns but can also occur in metal crowns. If you play contact sports, we recommend wearing mouthguards to protect your dental crowns. 

• Dark Line on the Gums. If you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, you may notice a dark line on the gum line where the crown meets your tooth. This is because the metal beneath the porcelain can show through. This does not affect the crown, but if you are concerned about the appearance, you may visit your dentist to address it. 

Overall, dental crowns are a safe and effective tooth replacement method. However, as with any procedure, some risks and complications should be considered before treatment. If you have any concerns, discuss them with an experienced dentist before deciding.

What Causes Dental Crowns to Fail? 

While most dental crowns are a great permanent tooth replacement, they can sometimes fail. Here are some of the reasons why dental crowns fail.

• Tooth decay – If bacteria build up around the crown, they can cause the cement holding the crown to break down. This can lead to the crown becoming loose and eventually falling out.

• Poor fit – If a crown is too big or too small, it may not fit properly and could come loose over time.

• Dental trauma – A traumatic injury to the mouth can cause severe damage to your dental crown and cause it to become loose or fall out.

• Bruxism – Night grinding can cause your artificial tooth to loosen because of the continuous uncontrolled pressure applied to the teeth. Eventually, this can cause the crown to break or fall out.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of dental crown failure. 

• Schedule regular dental visits – Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. This will help keep your crown and the adjacent teeth healthy and decay-free. Maintaining good dental health will also reduce the risk of infections and gum disease.

• Avoid chewing on hard foods – This can put unnecessary pressure on the crown and cause it to become loose. Consider eating only soft foods during the first week after your procedure.

• Avoid using your teeth as tools – If you need to open something, use a knife or scissors instead of your teeth. 

Taking these precautions can help reduce your risk of dental crown failure and other long-term complications. If your crown becomes loose or falls out, contact your dentist right away. They can re-cement or replace the crown and restore your smile.

What Should You Do if a Dental Crown Falls Out?

If a dental crown falls out, it is important to see your dentist immediately. In the meantime, you can take a few temporary measures to protect your tooth from further damage.

• Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the loose crown. If the crown is loose, chewing could cause it to fall out completely or cause further damage to your tooth.

• If the crown is damaged or you can’t get it to stay in place, you can place it in a cup of water until you can get to your dentist.

• Once you’re at the dentist, they will assess the damage and determine whether the crown can be re-cemented or if you need a new one. 

If you follow proper maintenance measures and see your dentist regularly, they should last for many years. But if one falls out, don’t panic! With a little care, you can usually get it back in place or get a new one that will serve you well for years.

Final Thoughts

Dental crowns are a popular and effective solution for various dental problems. They can help support weak teeth, are long-lasting, and can be fabricated to look like your natural teeth. While dental crowns are generally safe, a few complications can occur. If you experience any issues with your dental crown, see your dentist immediately so that they can assess the situation and provide you with the appropriate treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns about dental crowns, contact Narre Warren Dental Care today! Our friendly team will answer all your questions to help you ease your worries about the dental crown procedure. Book an appointment online or contact our dental clinic at 03 8771 4137.