Porcelain crowns cover and support weak, damaged, misshapen, discoloured, worn or vulnerable teeth. They also support, seal, and protect teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy to eliminate a serious infections. Dental crowns in NE Calgary also cover dental implants and hold some types of dental bridges in place so that they can replace missing teeth.
Why is porcelain used?
While crowns can be made of several types of materials (including metals, porcelain, resin, and ceramics), porcelain is the best and most popular material. Why? Porcelain is free of toxins and biocompatible, and most closely resembles the appearance, texture, and lustre of natural teeth. Porcelain is highly durable and resistant to stains as long as the porcelain has not been damaged by abrasives that have worn away the outer glaze surface.
How long do porcelain dental crowns in NE Calgary last?
A well-maintained porcelain dental crown will last for over a decade, and even for 15 or 20 years. One of the most important things to keep in mind when considering the lifespan of crowns is that each crown covers a natural tooth that is held in your jaw by a natural tooth root that is sealed up by natural gum tissue. Why are we hitting that point so hard? The key point to remember is this. To a very large extent, the structural integrity of your dental crown will depend on the health of your tooth and gums. Here are four important steps to follow to sustain and prolong the lifespan of crowns provided by a dentist in NE Calgary.
Commit to keeping the underlying and surrounding teeth and gums healthy
To sustain and prolong the lifespan of your porcelain dental crowns, brush your teeth at least twice daily for two minutes each time. Don’t stop at brushing, but also floss around and between each tooth — including the tooth that is covered with the crown — every day. Regular brushing and flossing will prevent bacteria and plaque from accumulating around your gums sealing your “crowned” tooth. Beyond even brushing and flossing, you should attend your dental check-ups regularly every six months. Your dentist in NE in Calgary will inspect the condition of your crowns and address any issues that might threaten their lifespan as quickly as possible.
Avoid chewing on hard objects
Porcelain is a highly durable substance but is vulnerable to damage and breaking if abused. Some of the most harmful forms of abuse include: biting your fingernails and pencils, chewing ice, chewing pen caps, and using your teeth as if they were clamps, vices, or pliers to hold, twist, tear, or break packages or substances of any kind. All those activities will prematurely threaten the potential lifespan of your dental crown.
Wear a mouthguard and night guard
Teeth and dental restorations are well-designed to withstand normal pressures imposed by eating and chewing that can be much greater than you might think. Even healthy teeth and well-designed and well-maintained crowns, though, are vulnerable to damage in two extreme situations: sporting collisions, grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw. All three of those scenarios can cause damage to porcelain crowns. To protect your teeth and crowns from damage during sports or while you sleep if you suffer from sleep bruxism, ask your dentist in NE Calgary to provide you with a custom mouth guard or night guard. Yes, teeth guards can be purchased from stores and online, but you should not rely on retail or online purchases for health protection. Instead ask a dentist near you to prepare a custom guard for you after carefully assessing your teeth and jaw, and the condition of any dental work.
