A dental crown can restore or replace a tooth using a tooth-shaped cap or prosthetic tooth. Dental crowns are used to solve a wide range of dental problems.

Once your dental crown is placed by Dr. Dowd or Dr. Wu in Woodinville, WA, patients should take steps to maintain and protect their new prosthetic. At some point, wear and tear will mean that you will need to visit our office for a dental crown replacement.

Reasons Your Dental Crown May Need to Be Replaced

The forces of eating and chewing will eventually have an impact on your dental crown and require that it be replaced.

Other factors that contribute to wear or damage to a crown include:

• Decay of the underlying tooth
• Physical damage to the crown following trauma
• Degrading of the dental cement over time
• Bruxism
• Habits like chewing on ice or using crowns to tear open packages

Signs That It Is Time to Replace Your Dental Crown

If your dental crown becomes loose or dislodged, one of our doctors may be able to reattach the prosthetic. This will depend on the health of the underlying abutment tooth and the state of the dental crown. Our doctors are trained to look for signs of dental crown wear and other issues during your visits for check-ups and exams at our practice in Woodinville.

Common signs that your dental crown will need to be replaced include:

• A feeling that your bite feels “off”
• Appearance of wear on your crown
• Dental crown discoloration
• Chips or cracks on the crown
• Discomfort when biting
• Gum tissue inflammation near the crown

If you notice any signs that your crown needs to be replaced, let our office know immediately. A worn or damaged crown can put your tooth at greater risk of infection or decay.

Dental Crown Replacement Process

The process of replacing a dental crown is straightforward. One of our doctors will handle the entire process. First, your current crown will need to be removed. If you have a dental implant, the removal process will likely require the use of a special tool to detach the crown from the abutment that connects the implant to the crown.

A traditional crown can be removed using special dental tools. The crown may also be sectioned off into multiple pieces and then removed. Once the crown has been safely removed, the tooth will be cleaned and any decay will be removed. Then, your dentist will make an impression or take images before fitting you with a temporary crown.

When your new crown arrives at our Woodinville office, one of our doctors will ensure that it is a perfect fit before cementing it to your tooth. With proper care and regular visits to our office, the new crown should last 15 or more years.

Schedule Your Dental Crown Treatment Today

Dental crowns are a versatile and cosmetically pleasing treatment for damaged or missing teeth. If you need to replace an old dental crown, the doctors of Signature Smiles will expertly handle the removal and replacement of your dental crown from the convenience of our state-of-the-art dental practice. To schedule your next visit, please contact our office online or call (425) 489-1177.