How Important Is the Proper Fit of a Dental Crown?

By L Andrew Mutch | Published on August 18, 2011 | 0 Comments

The fit of a dental crown is extremely important, according to Dr. L. Andrew Mutch DDS. A leading dentist in Alhambra, CA, who offers dental crowns and other services at his practice, Dr. Mutch explains that crowns must fit properly to prevent food from getting lodged underneath.

The Alhambra, CA, dental crowns specialist goes on to explain that a well-fitted crown should be in tight contact with the adjacent teeth to prevent food from packing in unnecessarily. If a crown has not been fitted correctly—and if the margins of the crown have not been sealed properly—then the food that gets lodged underneath will lead to decay along the adjacent teeth.

The margin is the line where the edge of the crown and the tooth come together, and that margin has to fit very precisely to prevent decay from breeding. Ideally, a dentist in Alhambra, CA, who offers dental crowns will make sure the margins are sealed correctly before a patient leaves his office, says Dr. Mutch.

Additionally, Dr. Mutch is a dental crowns specialist in Alhambra, CA, who says that the contours of a crown should be similar to the contours of the natural tooth. Having a dental crown that is too fat can cause inflammation and problems with the gums.

Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for a patient to judge the fit of a dental crown on his or her own. Of the three most important issues having to do with a dental crown sizing—a tight fit, sealed margins, and thin contours—that a patient could potentially notice is the tightness of the fit. Even then, it would be tough for a person to know whether the food getting stuck between his teeth was being caused by a faulty crown or something else.

For the most part, issues like loose margins and incorrect contours are caught by a dentist on subsequent visits. It is important that patients get these types of issues addressed, and that their crowns are changed out when necessary to prevent even more decay from occurring. If the fit issue is very minor in nature and there are no instances of decay showing just yet, then Dr. Mutch will sometimes inform the patient that the issue should be watched closely and addressed when the time is right.

For more information on how to ensure a proper fit when it comes to dental crowns, Dr. Mutch recommends calling his office and scheduling an initial exam and cleaning.

*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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