Causes of Cracked or Damaged Crowns By Danny O'Keefe D.D.S. on April 02, 2014

For many people, dental crowns are a part of life - and an unfortunate side effect of that part of life can be dealing with a dental crown that has cracked and is in need of replacement. Dr. Danny O’Keefe has repaired many cracked crowns for patients at his Jackson office. But to avoid the need for future repairs, it is good to know what can cause cracked crowns in the first place.

What Can Cause a Cracked or Damaged Crown?

Dental crowns are built to be almost as durable as natural teeth - which means that, while they can endure significant wear and tear, they aren’t invincible. There are several factors that could contribute to a dental crown cracking or dislodging. These include:

• Incorrect Bite: When you are first being fitted for a crown, your cosmetic dentist will take impression molds of your teeth to create a crown of the perfect fit and ensure that your top and bottom teeth line up properly. A poorly fitted crown can have awkward high points and meet its opposing teeth at a strange or harsh angle, leading to added stress and pressure over time and eventually leading to breakage. A skilled and experienced dental team can go a long way toward reducing the probability of such a mistake.  
• Poor Dental Habits: Nothing can wear at a dental crown more quickly than bad habits. Habitual chewing on hard objects like ice, pens, or even hard rock candy can be an open invitation to damage and the untimely end of a dental crown.
• Teeth Grinding: Of all the bad habits out there that are related to dentistry, nightly teeth grinding - a condition also known as bruxism - is among the worst. The constant pressure and friction created by teeth grinding is a surefire way to speed up wear and tear on dental crowns and cause cracks or full-on breakage. If you know that you suffer from bruxism, discuss it with your cosmetic dentist - he or she may have you fitted with a custom mouth guard to wear at night and keep the effects of grinding at bay.
• Natural Wear and Tear: Modern dental crowns are meant to last for years upon years, but nearly any cosmetic dentist will agree that the average crown doesn’t last forever. Even with the best care, the average lifespan of a dental crown is around 10 to 15 years before breaking down due to basic wear and tear. Anything longer than that can be considered a bonus.

How Do I Treat a Cracked Dental Crown?

If you have cracked or broken a dental crown, it can be tempting to delay treatment if you’re not in pain. But don’t give in to this temptation. A crack in a dental crown can become an ideal bacteria breeding ground just as quickly as a natural hole from a cavity. If you do not take immediate steps to repair your crown, you could quickly find yourself in danger of tooth decay, gum disease, or even an abscess.

Contact Your Cosmetic Dentistry Specialist Today

Cracking or breaking a dental crown can be an exasperating experience, but you don’t have to live with a cracked or broken crown forever. Contact the dental office of Dr. Danny O’Keefe to schedule an appointment and repair your broken crown today.