Dental crowns are engineered to protect, restore, and beautify your teeth, often lasting for many years when well maintained, but crowns aren’t perfect or permanent. Over time, a crown’s fit, function, or appearance can fade, weaken, or fail altogether. It’s better to catch problems early than wait until decay, infection, or pain force more extensive treatment.
The 10 signs that there is a problem with your dental crown that requires attention are:
At Dental Depot of KCMO, we provide high-quality dental crowns designed to restore both the strength and appearance of your smile. With convenient locations in Blue Springs, Independence, and Lee’s Summit, our experienced team offers comprehensive restorative care all under one roof, from evaluating damaged teeth to creating and placing custom crowns. Using advanced materials and precise techniques, we ensure your crown fits comfortably, functions naturally, and blends seamlessly with your other teeth. Whether you need a new crown, a replacement, or emergency care for a damaged one, our patient-focused approach makes it simple to get expert, reliable treatment close to home.
When a crown is placed, your dentist first reshapes the natural tooth to create a stable foundation. The crown is then carefully fitted over the tooth and secured with strong dental cement, restoring both its function and appearance. While the crown itself cannot decay, the tooth structure beneath it is still very much alive and vulnerable. There’s always a small margin where the crown meets your natural tooth, and this area must be sealed properly to keep bacteria and food particles out. Over time, normal wear, changes in your bite, or even the breakdown of dental cement can create tiny gaps along this margin, giving bacteria a pathway to sneak underneath.
Once bacteria get beneath the crown, the problem can escalate quickly. Decay can spread undetected, weakening the natural tooth and compromising the crown’s stability. In more advanced cases, an untreated infection can reach the tooth’s nerve or surrounding bone, leading to severe pain, abscesses, and even tooth loss. Because these issues often develop out of sight, you might not realize anything is wrong until the damage is significant. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to changes in how your crown feels or how your mouth feels overall. Prompt evaluation and treatment can mean the difference between a simple fix and more extensive — and expensive — procedures like root canals or extractions.
Recognizing that issues can develop beneath or around a crown is only the first step; knowing what to watch for is just as important. While some problems are subtle at first, they tend to worsen over time if left unchecked. By staying alert to changes and addressing concerns early, you can protect both your crown and the natural tooth it’s designed to safeguard.
If you feel aching, pressure, or pain around your crown when chewing or even at rest, it could point to decay under the crown, nerve irritation, or a poor fit. Pain is never normal and rarely goes away on its own; schedule a dental visit as soon as possible to prevent the issue from worsening.
When your crown feels “too tall” or your bite doesn’t come together normally, it can cause jaw strain or wear on other teeth. This is not typically an emergency, but schedule a visit soon so your bite can be adjusted before it leads to pain or long-term damage.
Lingering or worsening sensitivity may signal exposed dentin, micro-leaks around the crown, or an underlying cavity resulting from a crown that is cracked or not sealing the tooth completely. This is not necessarily urgent, but it should be checked at your next appointment–and sooner if it worsens–to prevent decay or infection from spreading.
A loose crown can let bacteria in under the seal and risk infection or decay of the tooth underneath. This is urgent — call your dentist right away so it can be recemented or replaced before serious damage occurs.
Even small cracks or chips can get bigger over time or harbor bacteria, progressing into bigger problems. Unless it’s causing pain, this isn’t an emergency, but schedule a next-available appointment to repair the crown and prevent further breakage.
Changes in your gums could mean irritation, infection, a buildup of plaque and bacteria, or a poorly fitting crown. This should be checked soon because untreated gum issues can threaten both the crown and your overall oral health.
Persistent smell or taste around a crown that doesn’t improve with brushing or flossing usually indicates bacteria, decay, or food trapped under or around it. This can become a bigger issue quickly and should be checked promptly to prevent infection.
A dark edge can be normal with some older metal crowns, but it can also signal decay or deterioration underneath, particularly if it is a very visible dark line or sudden change in tooth color. This is rarely an emergency, but bring it up at your next appointment unless pain or swelling is present and don’t wait too long to have it evaluated.
Most crowns last 5-15 years depending on the material and your oral hygiene habits. However, even if your crown feels fine, older crowns may weaken, wear down, or no longer fit perfectly. If yours is nearing or past its expected lifespan, have your dentist evaluate it at routine checkups to avoid sudden failure.
Swelling, pus, throbbing pain, or a pimple-like bump (abscess) near the crown often means an active infection in the tooth or root below. This is an emergency — seek dental care immediately to prevent the infection from spreading.
If you notice any changes or concerns with your dental crown, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Even if the issue seems minor, only a thorough exam — which may include X-rays — can reveal what’s happening beneath the surface. Ignoring problems with a crown can allow decay, infection, or structural damage to worsen, ultimately putting the underlying tooth and surrounding tissue at risk. Acting quickly often means a simpler, less costly fix and helps preserve more of your natural tooth.
In some cases, your crown may only need repairs. This is usually an option when the crown is still structurally sound and the tooth beneath is healthy.
Common repairs include:
Repairs are generally quicker and less invasive, and they allow you to keep your existing crown while restoring comfort and functionality.
When the damage is more extensive, a replacement is often the best solution. This is necessary when the crown has large fractures, significant wear, or when there are problems with the tooth underneath, such as decay, infection, or root damage. Replacing a crown typically involves removing the old one, treating any underlying issues, and then fitting a brand-new crown designed to match your bite and appearance.
Whether your crown needs a simple repair or a complete replacement, it’s important to address these concerns promptly. Delaying treatment can lead to more complex and costly procedures down the road, such as root canals or even extractions. By seeking timely care, you protect both your crown and your long-term oral health, keeping your smile strong and functional for years to come.
At Dental Depot of KCMO, we believe that exceptional dental care should be both accessible and affordable. That’s why we provide comprehensive, commonsense dentistry that focuses on what’s best for your long-term oral health, without unnecessary treatments or hidden costs. With flexible payment plans, financing options, and acceptance of most major insurance providers, including SoonerCare, we make it easier to fit the care you need into your budget. Plus, with multiple convenient locations across the metro and flexible hours designed to fit your schedule, you’ll find getting high-quality dental care simpler than ever.
Whether you need a routine checkup, crown repair, or full replacement, you can trust Dental Depot to keep your smile healthy, functional, and beautiful for years to come. Call or visit us online today to schedule your next appointment.
