Dental crowns and bridges are reliable solutions for addressing various problem with your smile. These two structures are two common restorative solutions that are given to patients to repair damaged teeth. They also help improve your smile’s aesthetic and functionality. But what to do when you face problems with the restorations themselves? Discussed in detail below are some common issues that can arise upon acquiring either of these treatments and how to avoid them.
Common Problems with Dental Crowns and Bridges
Some common challeneges you might face when you get crowns and bridges include:
Dental Crowns
A reliable Solution for damaged and decayed teeth, there is the potential for any of the following to arise:
- Crown Adjustment: Crowns can become loose due to the cement holding wear down. This causes tooth sensitivity, decay, and infection.
- Crown Falling Off: Sometimes the crown can fall off due to inappropriate cementation. This can lead to bacteria growth under the crown.
- Chipped Crown or Cracked Crown: Biting down hard foods and grinding your teeth can damage your crowns. Such cases have a high probability of dental crowns made from porcelain. Small chips can be repaired easily but for cracks, you need to make an appointment with a dentist near you. They will carefully assess the cracks and determine the cost of damage.
- Dark Line at the Gum: Dark lines are an aesthetic concern and are generally observed in porcelain-based dental crowns.
- Gum Irritation and Recession: Sometimes crown causes gum irritation or rescission. This leads to discomfort and exposes your teeth to decay as well as sensitivity.
Bridges
Unlike crowns, dental bridges can be used to fill in spaces due to one, two, or a few missing teeth. That said, they too, can pose challenges.
- Allergic Reactions: The occurrence of such cases depends on the material being used. Metal is one of the most susceptible materials that can cause allergic reactions.
- Becoming Loose: A loose bridge can cause decay or further complications for you. This happens due to the cementation being loose or weakened over time.
- Changes in Bite: Poorly fitted bridges are a major cause of inappropriate bite correction and even TMJ in rare cases. It leads to discomfort and unsatisfactory results.
- Discomfort or Pain: If you experience discomfort and pain while chewing or biting, it is due the inappropriate treatment using bridges.
- Fracture or Damage: Biting hard food or grinding your teeth can damage your dental bridges. On the other hand, during extreme sports, you can fracture your bridge.
7 Effective Tips for Avoiding Problems with Dental Crowns and Bridges
Now once you understand how even after careful crown and bridge procedures they can cause you discomfort and pain. Hence it becomes important to avoid them. Here are some tips to avoid common problems with dental bridges and crowns.
Dental Crowns
- Research and choose an experienced dentist who has a successful record in corn placement.
- Maintain oral hygiene with antibacterial mouthwash and brushing twice daily.
- Avoid hard foods and address your teeth-grinding habits.
- Discuss the materials your dentist is going to use and attend regular checkups. Different types of dental crowns are made with various materials or combinations of materials for durability and better functionality.
- Your temporary crown phase is as important as the permanent one. Address the problems you are facing during that phase and the prolonged sensitivity too.
- Never use your teeth to open cans, bottles and packages, they are not tools.
- Stay hydrated, a dry mouth leads to plentiful dental complications.
Dental Bridges
Sure there are similarities between tips for dental bridges and crowns. So we are going to mention the common one first and then the unique approach to counter problems with dental bridges.
- An experienced dentist plays a vital role in dental bridge treatment. Good oral hygiene, avoid hard foods, no teeth grinding, go for regular checkups, your bite adjustment, address sensitivities and avoid using teeth as tools.
- Use floss to clean under the bridge.
- Avoid the up and down motion rather than sawing motion during flossing. The up-down motion dislodges the bridge.
- Watch the changes over time and let your dentist address those changes by discussing them with them.
- For cleaning under the bridges use a water flosser to avoid infection or decay formation.
- Monitor the teeth supporting the bridges, and care for them specifically.
- Even when eating your favourite food avoid putting excessive pressure as it might damage the bridges.
Let’s Address Your Dental Problems; Visit Okanagan Dental
There is no doubt that dental crowns and bridges are reliable treatments for specific dental problems. However, there are times when you might face problems with those treatments too. For such cases hope our tips can help you to avoid them, but if you want appropriate guidance reach out to Okanagan Dental, We are always here to help you eradicate those problems to make your recovery stress-free. Your healthy smile is our top priority!
FAQs
- Can I eat anything I want with dental crowns and bridges?
Dental crowns and bridges are durable but it is important to avoid biting down on hard food. They can chip or damage the crowns and bridges.
- What should I do if my dental bridge or crown feels loose and uncomfortable?
Even after the dental crown and bridge procedure, you need to be careful with the aftercare. During the aftercare phase if the crowns and bridges feel loose and uncomfortable you should visit your dentist.
- Should I see my dentist for regular checkups and if I have a dental bridge or crown?
Yes, there are different kinds of dental crowns and bridges. Each needs distinctive care, medication, guidance, and monitoring to achieve satisfactory results. Visiting your dentist after treatment ensures you achieve your desired healthy smile and confident self.