Here’s Why Old Crowns and Bridges Should Be Replaced

Dr. Anuja Sarkar

3 years ago

At Smilex International Dental Centre, the best clinic in Pune, we often come across patients with decade-old crowns or bridges asking whether these need to be replaced. The answer is only clinical evaluation and assessment will tell. We have treated patients whose dental crowns and bridges have lasted decades with no pain or problem. So, the decision, here really depends on multiple factors and the appearance of the crown is not the only reason in play.

Crowns are basically restorations done to protect teeth weakened by decay or fracture. Often the teeth are decayed to the extent where normal fillings won’t work and where root canal procedures are required. After the root canal procedure the teeth gradually become brittle and to prevent fracture of these teeth in the future, crowns or “caps” are done to protect and preserve these teeth.

Crowns or caps are also done in cases where teeth are broken, discolored, or misshapen. Missing teeth are replaced using bridges. Procedures like implants also require custom-fit crowns to be done. In many cases, they need to be replaced, sometimes more than once over the course of a lifetime.

Crowns – Types and Varieties

Earlier, metal crowns were the strongest crowns available. These crowns were made from a combination of alloys like nickel, chromium, and palladium. Gold was also a metal of choice for several patients and this lasted the longest.
Nowadays, with aesthetics as the main concern, more and more people are opting for crowns that have better colour or shade match to the surrounding teeth as well as have high strength. Porcelain was quite popular in the past as it can be fused to metal to blend in with the adjacent teeth. In the last decade crowns that are completely made of porcelain have been developed which can be precisely shade match to the surrounding teeth and are just as strong as all gold crowns.
We have had great success with custom shade/color-matched Emax crowns, porcelain layered zirconium crowns, and All Zirconium crowns. Depending upon the situation, crowns are fabricated keeping in mind the patient requirement and the crown qualities.

We at Smilex International Dental Centre have a great deal of expertise and can choose and advise the right crown for the right situation with a focus on fit, strength, longevity, and natural aesthetics.

Reasons to replace old crowns and bridges

The first and most important reason to place a crown is if the tooth has the key under the crown. Also, if the gums recede over a period and the exposed root surface develops a cavity, we have to remove the crown to get the decay out. In some cases, such decayed teeth might require root canal treatment if the pulp is involved and the crown must be removed to get access for the root canal treatment and is later replaced with a new crown.
Sometimes the older porcelain fused to metal or “PFM” crowns (as they are popularly known) show a dark shadow under the gumline that becomes more and more unsightly as the patient ages and their gums recede, especially in the anterior region. Almost always this can be corrected by replacing the PFM crown with one of the new generation all-ceramic crowns.
Dental crowns can also break or chip. Sometimes, the porcelain component of a PFM crown can fracture. In such circumstances, the seal of the crown over the tooth must remain intact, however, if this is affected the crown needs to be replaced immediately. While in some cases, a simple buffing can remedy the problem. Depending upon the extent of damage to the crown, it may need to be replaced and the only person that can make the decision is your dentist.

Usually, the average crown lasts for a period of 10 – 15 years. At Smilex International Dental Centre, the Best Dental Clinic in Pune we do global standard crowns with the best materials and techniques available so it’s not unusual for our crowns to last for decades. Think of it as maintaining a car. The average Car May last up to 10 years but well maintained and cared for cars can last for decades. Similarly, it all depends on the initial fit and seal of the crown which ultimately depends on the technique used and expertise of crown fabrication as well as the skill of the dentist who fixes the crown.

So, come down to Smilex International Dental Centre, the best dental clinic in Pune for getting your old crowns and bridges assessed by our team of experts and get them replaced by global standard, long-lasting crowns, and bridges.