A dental crown protects and restores a damaged tooth, but these restorations do not last forever. At Willow Glen Dental Center in San Jose, CA, Dr. Raoul Shah and our team help patients maintain healthy, beautiful smiles. We specialize in placing and replacing crowns and bridges to protect your oral health.
While a high-quality crown is durable, it will eventually need replacement. With proper care, most dental crowns last between five and 15 years. Knowing when to replace yours can prevent serious damage to the tooth underneath.
A loose crown clearly signals that the restoration is failing. A 2022 study in the European Journal of Oral Sciences evaluated 401 adults with crowns. Researchers found that a loose crown was the most common failure, accounting for 26.5% of cases.
Over time, the cement holding your crown in place can degrade. If your crown feels loose when you chew, it is time for an evaluation. At our San Jose office, we can safely remove the old crown and fit you for a new one.
The daily forces of chewing can eventually wear down your restoration. The same Swedish study cited above noted that tooth fractures caused 12.6% of crown failures.
If you see physical damage or feel a sharp edge, the crown can no longer protect your tooth. We offer durable, natural-looking restorations to restore your bite.
Plaque can build up at the seam where the crown meets your natural tooth. A 2022 study in Clinical and Experimental Dental Research followed 423 adults with restorations. Over seven years, secondary cavities affected 8.4% of these patients.
This rate jumped to 18.4% for patients with poor oral hygiene. If your gums feel tender around the crown, we can perform a dental exam to check for underlying issues.
You cannot always feel when a crown is failing. The American Dental Association notes that you should replace crowns when decay or fractures compromise the tooth structure.
Because decay under a crown often starts silently, routine X-rays are essential. Our team uses advanced imaging to spot these hidden cavities before they cause severe damage. Ignoring a failing crown can lead to severe decay and tooth loss. At Willow Glen Dental Center, we focus on early detection to save your natural teeth.
If you suspect your crown is worn out, do not wait for pain to develop. Protecting your natural teeth is our top priority. Schedule a visit with Dr. Shah at Willow Glen Dental Center today to keep your smile healthy.
