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Archives for April 2024

What Causes a Cavity Beneath a Crown?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I’ve had a crown on my first molar on the upper left for three years. After my yearly exam last month, the dentist said that my X-ray showed a cavity. She showed me the X-rays on the monitor in the treatment room. However, the dentist could not explain why I had a cavity. My dentist plans to remove the crown and decay and place a new crown. Dental insurance won’t provide any coverage for the crown. Why do I have a cavity in a tooth beneath a crown anyway? What caused it? Thanks. Marie from NJ

Marie,

A dental crown for a molar tooth, which can have a cavity beneath it if bacteria leak in

Dental crown (cap)

Dental insurance companies will only pay for a replacement crown if your current one is at least five years old. However, a high-quality crown can last ten years or longer. Although decay will not affect your dental crown, bacteria can leak in, causing a cavity in the tooth beneath the crown.

What Causes a Cavity Beneath a Crown?

If a crown is damaged, loose, or has a gap between the tooth and crown, bacteria can enter the space and cause tooth decay.

  • Damaged or loose crown – Trapped bacteria beneath a crown can lead to decay.
  • Loose margin — If the crown and tooth do not fully meet, bacteria can leak, causing plaque and decay.

What Is the Treatment for a Cavity Beneath a Crown?

Treating a cavity beneath a crown includes removing the crown, cleaning the tooth, filling the cavity, and replacing the crown with a new one. Untreated decay can spread and increase the risk of tooth loss. Please do not ignore a cavity in a tooth beneath a crown.

Get a Second Opinion

If you are dissatisfied with your dentist’s diagnosis of a cavity beneath your crown or the treatment plan, you can get a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

 

 

If My Temporary Crown Won’t Stay On, Will the Permanent One?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I think I should switch dentists because my temporary crown won’t stay on. It fell off my bottom right second molar the day after I got it. I went back and forth to the dentist because the crown either fell off or broke four times. My dentist took another impression of the tooth for the lab, but I’m still concerned about spending more time with this dentist. Is it too risky to switch dentists in the middle of a crown procedure? – Bethany from IL

Bethany,

It is not too risky to switch dentists in the middle of a crown procedure if your dentist can’t get your temporary crown to stay on.

Although temporary crowns are not meant to last long, they should not repeatedly fall off. When a crown repeatedly falls off, a dentist likely shaved your tooth too much, and not much tooth structure remains to support a dental crown.

Also, your dentist needed a new impression for the dental lab, which increases our concern that your dentist will have problems with your new temporary crown. Although it is not unusual for a dentist to need multiple impressions of a tooth, he or she should resolve the concerns before asking the lab to make your temporary crown.

Your dentist has an ethical obligation to transfer your dental crown case to the dentist you choose. If you have already paid your dentist for the crown, you can ask for a refund. After your new dentist examines your tooth and crown, you can give a copy of the report to your current dentist as leverage for a refund. Resolve the issue as soon as possible to prevent swallowing or aspirating your temporary crown if it falls off again.

Find an advanced cosmetic dentist for your second opinion. You can ask friends or family members for recommendations or search online. Look for a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training. Review the dentist’s smile gallery on the website to see patients’ cases for dental crowns.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.