Dental crowns can help a fractured or damaged tooth regain strength, bite functionality, and aesthetic appeal. Crowns are typically constructed of porcelain, fitted over your tooth, and then cemented in place. If you have a cavity that is too big for a filling, a root canal that needs to be finished, or if you want to protect a cracked or broken tooth, your dentist may suggest a traditional or same-day crown. In some circumstances, a crown could assist in treating aesthetic problems like a tooth with an obvious discolouration or an odd form. One persistent misconception concerning dental restorations is that they won’t rust or get cavities. Bacteria can still enter the repair and begin the deterioration process even though they may not succumb to it. A broken crown or poor oral hygiene can raise this risk.
How bacteria spreads below a crown?
You should brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once after having a crown on your tooth. Failure to adhere to these instructions increases the possibility that bacteria will begin to accumulate in your mouth, particularly within and beneath a crown. Bacteria attack the tooth’s remaining structure by turning sugars into acid, which eats away at the enamel and causes decay and a cavity or infection behind the crown. Saliva cannot penetrate below the crown. Hence this pattern is unaffected by resistance.
Additionally, the following things can lead to germs getting under a crown:
- Eating and drinking sweet things regularly.
- Trauma to the tooth’s crown or the tooth below can happen when you chew on anything hard or not wearing a mouthguard.
- A gum infection under the crown of the tooth.
How can you tell if your crown has an infection?
- Redness at or near the area where the crown was inserted
- Swelling of the jaw or gums close to where the crown is now present
- sensitivity or discomfort near the head
- The unusual warmth in one area of your mouth, unconnected to any hot food or drink you may have recently consumed.
- Clear, yellowish, or greenish fluid is dripping or oozing from the crown.
- A fever
- enlarged neck glands (bumps at the side of your neck)
- Unusual breath odour or terrible breath (caused by germs releasing odorous gases). If you have any of these signs, call your Edmonton dentist right once to schedule a root canal.
What is a treatment for an infected dental crown?
Make an appointment with your dentist in Edmonton to have the crown and the source of your pain examined if you detect any of the symptoms above.
Below a crown, treatment for infection or decay may entail the following:
- Taking off the current crown
- Filling the cavity or removing the remaining tooth to treat the decay
- Constructing a new crown to incorporate the filling and remaining tooth structure
- Advising the addition of an implant or other type of artificial tooth
Understanding the signs of a tooth crown infection can make it easier to take the required precautions to stop the pain. When you see any of the indications above of a tooth crown infection, it is best to consult your Smile Zone Dental local dentist because they will know the best course of action. Call us at 780-989-5733 to book an appointment.