A dental crown is a custom-made dental cap that goes over the visible part of a tooth that has been broken or weakened by a lot of decay or a pulp infection and needs more repair than a filling or an inlay.
The crown makes it possible for the damaged tooth to work again. It is also made to look like a natural tooth if the change is not apparent.
Even though the materials used are top-notch, strong, and long-lasting, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of them. The crown will last longer if the dental clinic and the lab that makes prosthetics do an excellent job and the patient takes good care of it.
What can a patient do when they wear a crown?
Oral hygiene
The dental crown on the implant is not natural, but it works as if it were.
For example, a prosthesis like this can’t have cavities, but it’s essential to maintain strict hygiene to help the implant last a lifetime.
Say goodbye to tobacco
If you want to stop smoking, now is the time to do it. Tobacco slows down the healing process, makes it more likely to get an infection, and hurts the blood flow in the tissues. Also, smoking creates a sucking effect, like when you drink through a straw, which can pull on stitches.
If the patient has a hard time giving up smoking, we tell them to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. Using a nicotine substitute is an excellent way to help stop the urge to smoke.
Be careful when you rinse
After the implant is put in, you shouldn’t use mouthwashes for the first few hours. Also, it would be best if you didn’t brush the area where the dental crown was put, so you don’t hurt yourself and damage it.
Avoid physical exertion
After getting an implant, you shouldn’t do anything that requires much effort for at least a week. We won’t have any problems with swelling or bleeding if we do it this way.
Also, the head should be held up straight even when the patient is lying down. At night, two pillows can be used to prop up the head.
If you feel strange, you should see a dentist
After getting an implant, the first two days are the most painful. If, after this time, you don’t see any gradual improvement or you feel the pain that seems out of the ordinary, like a lot of swelling or bleeding, don’t be afraid to call your dentist immediately.
Go for check-ups often
Don’t forget that following these tips isn’t the only way to ensure your dental crown lasts.
Even if you think the surgery went well and your expected recovery, you must follow the implantologist’s check-up schedule. This way, we can make sure the results are what we want. Also, finding and fixing any unexpected problems with the implants will be possible as soon as they happen.
You can enjoy these fixed prostheses for longer if you follow these nine simple tips:
- Do not eat foods that are very hard. Or cut them up and eat them that way.
- Don’t gnaw on ice.
- Don’t bite your nails.
- Don’t use your teeth to open a bottle or a jar.
- For TMJ and teeth grinding, you can use relaxation splints. They keep the teeth and crowns from getting worn down by bruxism and help relieve tension in the TMJ by reducing the pressure that people who clench and grind their teeth frequently.
- Another way to lower stress is to do things and get into habits that help you relax, especially before bed.
- Take care of your teeth and gums
- Attend regular dental check-ups.
- Perform regular professional dental hygiene.
If you follow these small tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your new teeth without significant problems.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
