Dental crowns are components of dental implants that are used to replace missing teeth. Made from a variety of materials, dental crowns are typically tough and can withstand the rigors of chewing like regular teeth. However, they are not damage proof and there are a number of things that can damage your dental crowns. In this article, we cover a number of these habits.
Understanding Dental Crowns
Over time, people lose teeth due to a variety of reasons. For example, some teeth have to be extracted when they get infected by bacteria and the problem is left untreated. Teeth may also be knocked off during accidents and so on. When this happens, the victim is often left with unsightly gaps that may affect the aesthetic appeal of their smile. Missing teeth may also present medical problems. For example, missing teeth may lead to bite misalignment as the remaining teeth often shift to compensate for the missing teeth. Misaligned teeth on the other hand may lead to breathing complications as well as speech problems. Dental implants solve this problem by using a titanium rod that is surgically inserted into the jaw bone. This acts as the root of the tooth. A crown is then placed on top of the titanium rod, which in turn acts as the surface of the artificial tooth.
Biting Hard Objects
While crowns are strong, they are not indestructible. People who have a tendency to bite on hard objects such as pencils and pens risk ruining their crowns. Such behavior is often unconscious and so many people don’t even realize that they are doing it. Biting such objects can also ruin natural teeth as well as put you at risk of chipping or breaking your teeth.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Implants require the same level of care as you would give natural teeth. This means ensuring that teeth are brushed after meals, regular dental exams, and so on. Without this, gum infection by bacteria may lead to the gum and jaw mass that holds the implant in place being undermined. Eventually, the implant including the crown can be damaged or may even need to be replaced.
Using Teeth as A Tool
You may have seen people who use their teeth as tools to open bottles and other similar tasks. This is a dangerous habit that may lead to your crown breaking or getting damaged. You must never use your teeth to open bottles or perform any other task that they are not meant for.
Not Using Mouthguards
If you participate in sports, it is a good idea to use mouthguards in order to protect your dental crowns. Contact sports such as football or boxing can lead to dental impacts that may affect the integrity of your crown. Even games that do not involve any contact such as athletics may also lead to falls which in turn may cause dental injuries. When it comes to getting outstanding dental implants, come to Dr. Alex Rubinov. Our practice has years of experience fitting dental implants and you can be certain that we will give you the smile that you have always desired. We also do general dentistry so we can help you with dental emergencies, dental exams, and much more. Get in touch with us today to book an appointment.