Short of a cosmetic dental implant, a permanent crown is the best way to restore a tooth that has been damaged by decay or fractured by a crack.  Permanent crowns are often used to protect teeth that have undergone root canal therapy.  They are also used to repair teeth that have lost very large fillings that cannot be replaced with new filling material alone.

The benefits of a permanent crown extend beyond the boundaries of medical treatment alone.  Todays crowns are both functional and attractive because they are deliberately manufactured to mimic natural teeth and restore a persons confident smile.

People always remark that a permanent crown makes a visible and definite improvement in their quality of life.  Both in terms of attraction factor and comfort, these tooth restorations do wonders for people who otherwise would suffer for life with limited functionality and self-confidence in their appearance. 

There is an adjustment period, however, that people who receive a permanent crown should not be surprised to experience.  After placement of a crown, things are going to feel different for the individual when she or he first bites down on food.  The mouth has to get used to the tooth restoration before things finally settle back to normal. 

The individual with a new permanent crown should not be alarmed at minor sensitivity for the first few days after crown placement.  Temperature sensitivity is quite common during the healing process.  It is nothing to be alarmed about.

Homecare is something that everything with a permanent crown needs to pay attention to.  There are some basic things that everyone who has a tooth restoration needs to practice daily and be aware of.

         If the dentist used an anesthetic, wait until the numbness wears off before chewing.

         Avoid chewing on ice, hard candy, or foreign objects like pencils and pens.

         Brush teeth every day.

         Floss

         Give special focus when brushing to the area where the crown meets the gumline.  The tooth beneath the permanent crown can still suffer from decay if bacteria and plaque begin to form on it.  Keep it free from debris.

         Limit sugar intake and junk food of any kind.

         Take any prescription medication as directed.

         Check with the dentist before taking over the counter medication.  In most cases, the dentist will approve such action, but it is wise to cross reference medical history with a dentists advice before running off to the drugstore to buy something.

         Some pain and swelling are normal.  This can be alleviated by rinsing the mouth with warm salt water.  Use one teaspoon of salt per glass for the rinse.

In some rare cases, the above steps prove insufficient to alleviate the temporary stress caused by the placement of a new permanent crown.  The individual who experiences any prolonged difficulties needs to call their dentist for further counsel.

The following issues, if persistent, need to be addressed with professional help:

         The bite feels uneven during normal chewing.

         The permanent crown feels noticeably too tight around the tooth.

         Floss cannot fit between the crown and adjacent teeth.

         There is constant severe pain.

Cosmetic Dentistry is a specialized field that requires extensive knowledge and experience to be done correctly. The Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, Texas brings all of that and more to the direct benefit of each and every patient we treat. Although we are located in the world famous Houston Medical Center at Scurlock Towers, we routinely see dental patients who travel from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Beaumont Midland and Houston, Texas to see Dr. Dale Brant, Dr. Charles Campbell or Dr. Elizabeth OSullivan-Winslow for their cosmetic dentistry services.