What Happens If You Get Decay Under a Crown: Causes, Prevention & Treatment at Coastal Dental Care
If you get decay under a dental crown, issues may occur that affect your oral health. Problems such as bad breath, sore gums, or even a dental infection can develop, and in some cases, the tooth may not be salvageable. Decay under a dental crown is often caused by poor oral hygiene. Neglecting proper brushing and flossing can allow plaque to build up under the crown or in cracks of the teeth, starting the decay process.
Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are essential for monitoring your teeth and preventing problems.
Our team explains what may be causing discomfort under your crown and how you can treat it, helping you maintain a healthy, pain-free smile.
What causes Decay Under a Crown?
If you are experiencing pain under a crown, this could be caused by several things, which include:
Infection
Some signs of infection under your crown may include:
- Pain when biting
- Swelling of your gums
- Tooth sensitivity
Infections are not pleasant to experience, and you should address the affected area as soon as you start to develop any early signs.
Post crown procedure
If you have recently had a crown placed on your tooth, you may still feel some discomfort or tenderness following your procedure.
If the pain persists longer than your dentist’s recommended recovery period, you should contact your dentist or a health professional to assess your condition.
Tooth decay
Developing a cavity underneath your crown may cause you to experience pain in your tooth. If left untreated, it may spread throughout your remaining tooth structure.
Decay stems from the food that is left within your mouth after eating, on which the bacteria living in your mouth thrive. The bad bacteria that consume the sugary products you might eat develop an acid that can damage your enamel. Therefore, causing holes within your teeth, which is identified as tooth decay.
What treatments can be done to remove cavities?
There are several methods our dentist might use to remove cavities. These include:
Dental filling
Dental fillings are a treatment that involves removing the cavity within your tooth and filling the hole within your tooth with composite resin.
This aims to restore your tooth’s strength when the decay has penetrated through your tooth’s enamel.
Crown replacement
You may need to have your crown removed and replaced to treat the decay under your tooth. Depending on the size of the decay, your new crown may need to be made to cover a larger area.
At Coastal Dental Care, we offer Same-Day Crowns using our CEREC technology. CEREC technology allows us to create your dental crown within our practice on the same day. Meaning, you may not have to book in for a second appointment or wear a temporary crown.
Tooth extraction
For more severe cases, you may have to have your tooth removed if the decay has spread throughout your tooth and is beyond saving.
What happens when a cavity is left untreated?
If a cavity or tooth decay is left untreated, you may begin to experience some noticeable effects. Furthermore, your dentist may advise you to undergo further treatment.
Some effects may include:
Bad breath
In some cases, cavities may cause bad breath. When leftover or trapped food gets caught within your teeth, you may begin to develop plaque. Therefore, bacteria begin to thrive and cause decay.
If decay under your crowns begins to spread or thrive, you may experience some bad breath.
Decay within your root canal
If a cavity spreads within the root of your tooth, you may be at risk of developing issues that may affect your daily routine.
Research suggests that if decay within your root canal is left untreated, you may experience:
- Pain
- Discomfort
- Infection
- Tooth loss
Furthermore, the effects of decay within your root might also affect the way you eat and limit the types of foods you can consume.
In addition, if the decay reaches the roots within your tooth structure, you may require root canal therapy.
Tooth decay treatments at Coastal Dental Care
From a dentist’s perspective, if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort within your mouth, you should visit your dentist. This way, your dentist can assess your oral health and provide you with a solution to resolve the issue.
At Coastal Dental Care, we recommend you attend regular check-ups with your dentist every 6 months. Furthermore, you should continue to practice good oral hygiene each day by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day.
By maintaining good oral hygiene, you can help to reduce the risk of developing oral issues such as tooth decay.
If you would like to book an appointment, you can do so by contacting on of our friendly practices today. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online 24/7.
Published on November 24, 2021
