Cavities Under Dental Crowns: Signs and Symptoms To Look For

It is important to know the causes and treatments of cavities under dental crowns to avoid serious complications. Teeth are commonly affected either by cavities, fractures, or trauma. Fortunately, there are alternatives such as dental crowns to replace a lost or damaged tooth. 

What are Dental Cavities?

Tooth decay is a common problem that occurs when bacteria accumulate on the surface of the teeth and combine with food debris to form acids that cause holes or cavities. If the decay is not treated, it can affect the nerve of the tooth, causing pain, infection, and even loss of the tooth.

Foods high in sugar such as candy, honey, soft drinks, fruit juices, and milk easily result in tooth decay. However, carbohydrates present in other foods like bread, potatoes, cakes, and the like can also cause cavities. The best way to prevent cavities is to brush and floss three times a day to remove bacteria and food debris from the teeth.

What is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns, also called “dental sleeves”, are fixed prostheses placed to protect the tooth when it has lost much of its structure or is weakened. The crown is permanently attached to the remaining part of the tooth, using a special cement.

Cavities Under Dental Crowns

It is often believed that if a part of the tooth is replaced with a crown, it will not suffer further damage. However, although crowns are designed to be unaffected by decay, the remaining tooth tissue underneath can still deteriorate. Over time, natural changes occur in the teeth and gums that can affect the adaptation of the prosthesis to the tooth, creating small spaces where bacteria and food debris can accumulate, thereby causing cavities.

Do Crowns Last Forever?

Although it would be ideal, dental crowns do not last forever; they have a limited lifespan. Crowns are estimated to last an average of 10 years. Despite everything, there are patients whose crowns have lasted many more years thanks to good hygiene habits and dental care.

What are the Symptoms of Cavities Under Dental Crowns?

Even during a dental check-up, it is not easy to detect cavities under a dental crown, since in most cases they are not visible to the naked eye. X-rays are an important tool for their detection. For this reason, it is essential to know how to recognize the symptoms of this condition and seek dental care if it occurs.

Symptoms may vary depending on the state of the tooth:

1. If the nerve of the tooth has not been previously treated

Spontaneous pain often occurs, as well as sensitivity to hot and cold. In very advanced cavities, there could even be a pain when chewing. In some cases, patients may not experience any symptoms at all.

2. If the nerve of the tooth has already been treated before crown placement

There is usually no pain in the presence of cavities, which makes it possible to detect them only during a visit to the dentist or through X-rays. It is also likely that the patient will notice the presence of cavities due to the dislodgement of the crown. However, when pain occurs in a non-vital tooth, it may be due to an infection in the supporting tissues caused by advanced decay or the presence of an infection.

Treatment Options

The best preventative strategy is to go to the dentist for a timely diagnosis, supported by the use of diagnostic X-rays. If the tooth is decayed, the crown may need to be removed to properly clean and restore the tooth. If pain is present, a root canal will likely be required to remove the affected nerve.

When dental caries have been eliminated and there is no more pain, the dentist can place a new crown with a proper fit. However, this will depend upon the level of destruction the decay has caused to the tooth; in severe cases, the decay can be so extensive that restoration is impossible and tooth loss is inevitable. If the extraction of the tooth is irremediable, the dentist can choose to place an implant or permanent dental prostheses.

How to Prevent the Appearance of Cavities Under Dental Crowns?

Is a simple but important measure to prevent cavities under crowns. Proper oral hygiene follows these tips:

• Brush your teeth at least 3 times a day after each meal, making sure you clean all surfaces.

• Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen teeth and make them more resistant to acids produced by bacteria.

• Remove food debris that accumulates between the teeth and gums with floss.

• Clean the area between the crown and the gum line with interproximal brushes, since most of the plaque and food remains accumulate in this region.

• Use oral irrigators to help reduce food debris and the formation of plaque bacteria.

In addition, it is recommended to visit the dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and a complete dental examination, including X-rays, to detect cavities and other dental conditions early, which will make treatment easier and cheaper.

To those who have braces or planning to get one, you might consider reading our article about cavities caused by braces.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dental caries can appear under dental crowns despite being a prosthesis designed to protect and replace a dental structure. It is important to know how to recognize the symptoms of this condition and seek dental attention if they occur.

Treatments can range from tooth cleaning and restoration to extraction and placement of an implant or dental prosthesis. The best way to prevent cavities is to maintain good dental hygiene and visit the dentist regularly for checkups.