When to Replace a Dental Crown: 5 Signs

Symptoms will begin to arise when the time comes for your dental crown to be replaced. Our dentist shares when you should be replacing your dental crown.

Dental crown is a tooth restoration solution that seamlessly blends in with the rest of your teeth. A crown may last over ten years with meticulous care and good dental habits.¹ However, if you ignore the many warning signs that inform you that you need a crown replacement, the risk of tooth decay, damage to the tooth root, infection, tooth loss, and other severe issues increases. Furthermore, those who have never had a dental crown replacement are more likely to require one.²

Taking the action to replace compromised dental crowns may result in better dental health.³ Read on to learn more about the five signs that your dental crown needs to be replaced.

1. You feel pain or experience swelling
 
A damaged or dislodged crown is easy to set apart. After all, a dental crown is meant to act as a natural extension of your teeth. If you experience pain when biting down, find swelling around the gums of the crown, or think the dental crown suddenly feels sensitive, it could indicate more significant issues like infection or a damaged crown. We recommend that you get it checked and replaced if necessary.
 
2. Your gum line is receding
 
Good dental care and antibacterial mouthwash will be helpful in gum disease prevention — however, they may not be sufficient to avoid it altogether. Inappropriate or aggressive brushing may have the side effect of attracting the risk of gum disease.⁴ Hence, if you feel like your gum line is receding, a visit to a professional would be necessary. It could be a sign that your dental crown needs replacement.
 
**3. You’ve noticed wear and tear on your dental crown **
 
If you’ve had a dental crown for a while, it has been subjected to years of chewing and may be prone to cracks and fractures, especially for those who grind or clench their teeth. This can cause the dental crowns to wear out, creating space for bacteria to reside, thus causing tooth decay or infection.⁵ As such, worn-out dental crowns need to be switched out to keep the whole tooth safe.
 
4. Your dental crown is loose
 
There could be many reasons for a loosening dental crown, including tooth grinding, consuming sticky foods, excessive flossing, or dental decay. At times, the loose crown can be re-fastened without entirely replacing it. However, re-fastening the loose crown may still be necessary in many cases.

5. It may no longer look good
 
For many people, appearances are important, and they may opt to undergo teeth whitening treatments. Additionally, people who have undergone teeth whitening at dental clinics in Singapore may have done so due to discolouration that has started showing through the tooth. Sometimes, the dental crown is too stained or doesn’t match the other teeth anymore. This may be unappealing and unsightly to them. We recommend scheduling an appointment with a dentist to get a newer dental crown placed instead.

Conclusion
 
Schedule an appointment with your dentist to get your dental crown checked to avoid any complications. Make it a routine to schedule check-ups and cleanings twice a year — it will assist the dentist when searching for the issue and help your dental crown last longer.
 
Visit Advanced Dental for specialist dental services in Singapore. Our qualified team of dentists will ensure that you’re in good hands. Contact us today to learn more!

¹ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2018.05.013
² https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.541
³ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34694077/
⁴ https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.21.3.018-029.oin
⁵ https://doi.org/10.1186%2Fs12903-017-0434-x

Image Source: Freepik