Aging Crowns
Added: November 30, 2008 - 5:13 AM
By: Patient Email Withheld, Houston, TX
Need Dentist / Specialist:
Yes
Provide Cost Estimate:
No
X-rays Available:
No
Case Summary
Teeth:
Last Full Mouth X-Ray: many many years ago
Last Cleaning: many many years ago
Case Description
I have a mouth full of crowns, which also includes a bridge (lower left wisdom to eye tooth). Over the years the crowns seemed to have worn, and shifted, grown sharp edges which I find uncomfortable. I have not been to a dentist in many many years. Every time I start going it is a never ending story. My crowns have gotten so uncomfortable it is time I do something with these. Also, not much tooth left under many of these crowns. When I look at the crowns I wonder if the crowns can be removed without the underlying tooth coming with it. Is this a fairly common problem with aging crowns (original crowns installed about thirty years ago), and is there a common procedure for removing crowns and leaving underlying tooth intact.
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Reply: Aging Crowns
added: November 30, 2008 - 6:32 PM
Hello, when removing crowns the underlying tooth does remain intact unless the underlying tooth structure is severely decayed it self. But by removing a crown the underlying tooth does not come out with the crown or bridge. Your crowns have definitely served their purpose. Considering, on the average, most crowns and bridges have a life expectancy of 20 years, you have done well with the ones you have. If you have any further questions about your crowns please fell free to call my office (713)266-4222. We are here to help you and bring comfort back into your life.
Reply: Aging Crowns
added: December 01, 2008 - 7:17 AM
December 1, 2008Hello, when removing crowns the underlying tooth does remain intact unless the underlying tooth structure is severely decayed it self. It usually takes just a few minutes. But by removing a crown the underlying tooth does not come out with the crown or bridge. It is a routine office procedure we do all the time without damaging the tooth structure.We can often smooth sharp worn porcelain on older crowns and protect softer exposed root surfaces that have been exposed due to gum recession with a flouride varnish. Most patients such as yourself are in better shape than they think.Your crowns have definitely served their purpose. Considering, on the average, most crowns and bridges have a life expectancy of 20 years, you have done well with the ones you have. We are happy to extend a complimentary case evaluation for you.Call Christie at our office (713)932-0441 extension #102 and she will expedite a complimentary consultation to evaluate your case. Just mention Dr. OOGLE to Christie when you call.Sincerely,Hans Schleicher, DDS
Reply: Aging Crowns
added: December 03, 2008 - 6:23 AM
I have been waiting a long time for this question. Firstly, the traditional porcelain crown that the dental profession used for a long time is actually a porcelain layer on the outside, fused to the metal coping core on the inside. However, this metal core usually is comprised of chromium nickel alloy which about 1/3 of the population will have an advese reaction such as grey gingival margin after 1-2 years and gingival recession which exposed the tooth root to the oral cavity. To make matter worse, the glass ionomer cement which is used to cement these crowns are water soluble and therefore will washed out around the crevice as it is set inside the mouth due to saliva infiltration at the margin. This lead to subclinical open margin and bacterial colonization at the margin of these crowns. Ultimately, peope who have many of these crowns will have bad breath, grey gingival margin, or gingival recession exposed the dark grey crown margin. The best crown is all porcelain material, bond into the tooth with resin cement. If you have too many crowns, please use fluoride tray and applied flouride to all the crown margins once a week for 1/2 hr. Fluoride will kill bactera on contact but has to be available on the surface for at least 1/2 hr, thus we need the tray to block out the saliva infiltration. We guarantee our crown from breakage and even dark grey gingiva for five years (after one or two years, the grey usually already occur or it will almost never happened).
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