Dental crowns are a great solution for protecting damaged teeth. These crowns are made of durable material so that you can treat them much like you do your natural teeth.
But when a dental crown seems to be causing an odor, it’s a red flag that something is askew. And while this smelly topic might seem embarrassing to discuss with a profession or take care of, dental crown odor needs to be addressed as soon as possible by our dentists at Bridge Creek Dental as it is a sign of a serious issue.
What Causes Crown Odor?
What causes a smelly crown? An odor originating from your crown is usually a sign that there is bacteria growth or an infection related to your crown. This bacteria can spring up due to a failed root canal or a crown that doesn’t fit properly whether it is loose, cracked or there is a gap between adjacent teeth. Whenever your crown is not perfectly fitted, there are spaces and gaps that are the perfect place for food debris to get lodged and wreak havoc.
A quality dentist like the ones at Bridge Creek Dental will do their best to make sure your crown fits with complete precision from the beginning. Our dentists will prepare your soon-to-be-crowned tooth by:
- Cleaning out any infected material in or on the tooth
- Color-matching the new crown to your natural teeth
- Shaping the tooth, so the crown fits it properly
- Giving the dental lab exact measurements for your crown
- Attaching the crown properly
Another possible source of the crown odor is that your crown was placed properly initially, but if you have had it for a considerable number of years, it could be coming loose simply from wear and tear. With dental crowns, the cement can wear off over time and bacteria can swoop into the gaps, which is why it is so important to come in for your biannual cleanings. That way, if your crown has begun to loosen, our staff can catch the issue before it becomes a serious problem.
Also, it is possible to develop a cavity under your crown, as the crown is protecting natural tooth material. Any time there is natural tooth material, there is a possibility of a cavity developing. You can prevent this with consistent oral care including brushing and flossing as well as making sure you come in for the deeper cleaning you can have during your biannual dental cleaning appointments.
What Should You Do To Fix Crown Odor?
If you notice an odor coming from your dental crown, come in and see us at our dental clinic. Our dentists will assess the cause of the infection and accompanying odor, and they will talk to you about your treatment options. A couple of these options may be:
- Undergo another root canal and crown. If there is a cavity or infection under the crown, your current crown will need to be removed so that another root canal can be performed to clean the area out. Then you can have another crown to protect the newly cleaned area.
- Have your crown resealed. Should the problem lie with a loose crown, sometimes your old crown can be reused. But if the crown has become damaged and that’s what allowed the infection in, you will need a new crown to be resealed.
Caring for your crowned tooth promptly can help save as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. If the infection is ignored, it can spread down into the root of the tooth, and at that point, an extraction may be the only option. So, if you have been struggling with odor around your crown, be sure to contact us today for an appointment with our experienced dentists.