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Archives for December 2024

Will Zirconia Crowns Decrease My Jaw Pain?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I am beginning not to trust my new dentist. I am getting a four-crown, zirconia dental bridge. I looked at the dentist’s estimate, and it includes a porcelain upgrade. The dentist did not mention a porcelain upgrade to me, so before I call the office, will you please explain what this is? I want to compare her answer with yours. On a second matter, my last bridge was not zirconia, and I had lots of jaw pain and TMJ issues that finally got corrected. Are zirconia crowns less risky for TMJ? Thank you. Nick from NM

Nick,

Unfortunately, your dentist would need to explain what he means by a porcelain upgrade. The terminology is not standard to the dental profession but is a term your dentist uses.

Below are several possibilities.

  1. Your dentist uses a more expensive type of porcelain for your dental bridge.
  2. If the bridge is for front teeth, the charge could be for premium esthetic treatment to ensure your crowns and bridge look like natural teeth and match surrounding natural teeth. It is common for a dentist to charge more for front-tooth crowns than crowns in the back of your mouth.
  3. Perhaps a more expensive type of metal will be used as the framework for your crowns.
  4. It could be terminology for a metal-free dental bridge. You mentioned that you will receive a metal-free zirconia bridge.
  5. Your dental insurance plan may restrict your dentist’s reimbursement for a bridge. Using a term like porcelain upgrade could be your dentist’s way of recouping some expenses.

You should call the office and ask for an explanation. You can also ask if the office will send you an e-mail or something in writing explaining the service.

Do Zirconia Crowns Increase TMJ Risks?

Although you may read articles online with varying opinions about zirconia crowns and how they affect TMJ risks, your dentist is responsible for ensuring your new bridge is in harmony with your bite. If your dentist has advanced training in occlusion and bite, you should not experience recurring TMJ problems.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie. Ask Delaune Dental about financing to help pay for dental care.

Will My Tooth Crumble If the Crown Keeps Falling Off?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I had no trouble with my dental implant surgery. The surgeon was wonderful, and his follow-up care was thorough. I thanked my dentist for referring me to the surgeon. I received three implants, and my dentist restored them with beautiful crowns. I also received a new crown for a root canal tooth. But that crown is nothing but trouble. Within the past two months, the crown fell off four times. My dentist is happy to reattach it, but I am getting frustrated.

My dentist said that if it keeps happening, he will order a new crown. He doesn’t seem to know how to stop the problem without a new crown. I am concerned that all the work on this tooth has made it even weaker. And how do I know I won’t have the same problem with a new crown? I don’t like walking away from my dentist, but I’m not sure he knows what to do about this crown. Is my tooth going to crumble away and fall apart? Thank you. Rhys from NY

Rhys,

We are happy you had a good dental implant and implant crown experience. Unfortunately, the root canal tooth and crown are causing problems. It is frustrating when a crown repeatedly falls off, but identifying the problem is relatively easy.

Why Does a Dental Crown Keep Falling Off?

Dental crown

Dental crowns must be secured to protect a tooth

A dental crown can fall off due to bonding strength or the shape of the prepared tooth. Either or both factors can cause a crown to loosen and fall off.

  • Tooth preparation: When a dentist slightly tapers your natural tooth in preparation for a crown, it increases the surface contact between the crown and tooth. Even the weakest cement will keep the crown on. But aggressive tapering—grinding the tooth down to a stump—increases the risk of a loose crown that falls off.
  • Bonding strength: Your dentist must choose cement strong enough to keep the crown attached to your tooth.

If your dentist cannot keep the new crown on your tooth, it might be best to get a second opinion. Or you can get a second opinion right away. Depending on how aggressively your dentist prepared your tooth, an advanced cosmetic dentist can build the tooth with bonding to ensure the crown is secure.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie. Ask Delaune Dental about financing to help pay for dental care.

 

Can Dental Crowns Treat My TMJ?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I wear a custom nightguard for TMJ. It helps with jaw clicking and migraines. My teeth grinding has worn down my molar teeth. One tooth cracked last week. The TMJ specialist recommended adjusting my bite with inlays or crowns on my lower teeth to alleviate TMJ discomfort. Are putting crowns on my teeth a way to treat TMJ, or is it a waste of money? – Thanks. Max from Fort Lauderdale

Max,

Treating TMJ disorder is common and acceptable by using dental crowns to rebuild your bite and change how your teeth come together. Sometimes, a full-mouth reconstruction involving crowning all the teeth is recommended.  Sometimes, a dentist may recommend full-mouth reconstruction or dental crowns on all teeth.

Although people may use the term “TMJ specialist,” TMJ treatment is not a recognized dental specialty.

What Kind of Training Does a Dentist Need for Complex TMJ Cases?

Comprehensive TMJ treatment often requires advanced training beyond standard dental school education. Because jaw movements are intricate, this typically involves post-graduate training in complex restorative dentistry.

Dentists seeking advanced training in TMJ treatment often attend renowned institutions such as:

  • Piper Education and Research Center
  • Spear Education
  • The Dawson Academy
  • The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies
  • The Pankey Institute

Completing the entire curriculum from one of these institutes helps a dentist achieve optimal expertise.

Based on your description, your current dentist may understand TMJ treatment well. The effectiveness of your mouthguard suggests that your current treatment plan is showing positive results.

It may be beneficial to discuss your treatment plan with your dentist, including any specific training they have received in TMJ treatment.

 

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie