If you have an older, metal dental crown, you may not see a problem with leaving it as-is. Why get rid of the cap when it still works? However, the truth is that you should replace your metal crown as soon as possible; your smile will face issues otherwise. Your Irving dentist will even elaborate, outlining the various troubles of this metallic treatment. Here are four reasons you should switch from a metal crown to a porcelain or ceramic one.
It’s Bad for your Health
Overall, metal crowns aren’t actually good for your oral health. They tend to weaken your smile as they stay in your mouth for years.
The simple fact is that people aren’t “meant” to have metal in their mouths. The materials in metal crowns don’t normally interact with human bodies, so they often cause green-colored gums and significant allergic reactions. They can also cause and hide tooth decay, failing to adequately protect your teeth from bacteria.
It Can Corrode Dental Implants
If you have dental implants, metal crowns are bad news. These metallic caps can slowly corrode your tooth-replacing posts.
Don’t forget that dental implants contain titanium. When this metal closely interacts with gold, it can generate an electric current that results in corrosion. That means a gold crown could cause your implant posts to fail, putting your restored smile at risk.
It Makes Your Tooth Sensitive
Unless you switch out your metal crown, it’ll likely make your tooth sensitive. That soreness will then lead to a lower quality of life.
You see, metal – whether gold, silver, or other alloys – is a great conductor of heat. Crowns made of it can thus channel temperature changes, sending them into your teeth’s nerves. Without a switch, they’ll make your smile feel pain when hot or cold meals touch them.
It Disrupts MRIs
When you have a metal crown, you shouldn’t expect your medical treatments to be easy. Your cap’s material could interfere with MRIs.
It comes down to magnetism. A crown made of nickel and gold will respond to an MRI’s magnetic field, distorting the device’s pictures. Worse, such a cap may become drawn to or repulsed by the machine’s magnet, causing it to fly off your tooth.
Since you should replace your metal crown, don’t delay. See your dental provider soon to conduct the switch!
About the Practice
21st Century Dental of Irving is based in Irving, TX. Led by Drs. Roy, Bristow, and Kumar, our practice aims to give you a smile that thrives for a lifetime. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, tailoring every procedure for your grin’s unique needs. Our team will even replace your metal dental crowns with tooth-colored ones! For more details or to book a visit, reach out to us on our website or by phone at (972)-255-3712.