Care Guidelines After
Getting a Dental Crown
Theoretically, a dental crown can last
a lifetime. For most people, a crown
lasts an average of five to 15 years.
The amount of time that your crown
lasts depends upon the materials
from which it is made.
Good oral health habits also extend
the life span of your dental crown.
After your crown is placed,
it functions like a natural tooth.
Taking care of your crown is just
as easy as caring for your other
teeth with a few minor adjustments.
Follow the
After Care
Instructions
Dental cement is used to hold
permanent crowns in place.
This material is strong, but it needs
time to set.
Your dentist may ask you to avoid
eating for at least 30 minutes after
they place the crown.
This helps to keep it from moving
before the cement sets.
You’ll also be asked to avoid eating
sticky, chewy or hard foods for the
first 24 hours.
Waiting longer is even better.
Feel Free
to Brush and
Floss Normally
Brushing your crown helps to remove
plaque that causes tooth decay.
You’ll especially want to pay attention
to the crown’s margins.
This area where the crown
meets the gums is prone
to accumulating plaque that
can contribute to gum disease.
Flossing is also perfectly fine.
We’ll show you how to glide the floss
between your crown and the adjacent
tooth if you are nervous.
Water flossers are another option that
you can use to spray away food debris
between your teeth.
Try to Avoid
Bad Habits
Biting your nails, chewing on pencils
and other hard materials place stress
on your crown.
You can still enjoy your favorite
crunchy foods with permanent crowns.
Anything non-food items that are
harder than a chip or carrot could
damage the restoration.
Try to find other ways to manage
stress that don’t hurt your teeth
such as playing with a fidget toy.
Stop Smoking
Ceramic and porcelain crowns
can match your teeth.
They are also resistant to staining
but only to a point.
Tobacco products can stain crowns
just like they do natural teeth.
Quitting smoking keeps your
smile bright. It also can help to keep
your gums healthy so that your teeth
shift less.
If your teeth shift too much, it can
change your bite.
A crown that hits the other teeth
too hard is more likely to crack.
Wear a
Mouthguard
A blow to your mouth can damage
your crown.
Nighttime teeth grinding can also
generate pressure that causes
crowns to become loose.
If you play sports or grind your teeth
at night, then let your dentist know.
A custom-fit mouthguard protects
your new crown so that you can sleep
and play your favorite sport without
worrying about damage.
Know What
to Do If Your
Crown Falls Out
A lost crown is a dental emergency.
Call to schedule an appointment
right away.
Depending upon what happened,
we may be able to reseat the crown.
If not, then we’ll replace it.
In the meantime, you’ll want to avoid
causing damage to the tooth.
Avoid hard foods and try to chew
on the other side of your mouth.
If you have the crown, then bring
it to your appointment in case we
can reuse it.
A well-functioning crown shouldn’t
cause pain. The surrounding gums
should also be in good health.
If you notice any changes with your
crown, then make sure to schedule
an exam.
Crowns that get loose or cause
irritation may need to be replaced
or adjusted to restore your comfort.
If you are seeking professional
dental advice, it's time to call
Shumway Dental Care.
Our Chandler dentists will ask you
questions, examine you, and determine
exactly what needs to be done to get
you back to normal.
3150 S Gilbert Road #1
Chandler, AZ 85286
480-659-7800
shumwaydentalcareinfo@gmail.com
www.mychandlerdentists.com