Are dental crowns bad for your health? Learn about potential risks, material safety, long-term effects, and how to keep your crown in top shape. Get expert insights now!
Now, Many dentists recommend dental crowns to fix damaged or decayed teeth. Though many believe crowns are safe, some people still question: Are crowns bad for your health?
In this in-depth blog post, we’ll explore:
- What dental crowns are and why they’re used
- Types of Dental Crowns
- 7 Common Reasons Why Is a Dental Crown Needed?
- Potential health risks and side effects
- Materials used in crowns and their safety
- Long-term effects on oral health
- Alternatives to dental crowns
- How to minimize risks and maintain crown health
After reading, you will understand if dental crowns can be harmful and learn how to make sure they are still safe and useful for you.
What Are Dental Crowns and Why Are They Used?
A damaged tooth is treated with a dental crown, a cap that matches the size, shape, strength and look of your tooth. Dentists often place crowns on patients to treat:
- How to keep a weak tooth from further decay or cracking
- Repairing and restoring a very worn or broken tooth
- I need to provide care for a dental implant.
- How dental bridges stay in place
- Filling gaps between teeth
Porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys or a mix can be used to form crowns.
Types of Dental Crowns
- Porcelain/Ceramic Crowns
- Metal Crowns (Gold, Palladium, Nickel Alloys)
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
- Zirconia Crowns
- Temporary vs. Permanent Crowns
7 Common Reasons Why Is a Dental Crown Needed?
- To Protect a Weak Tooth
- To Restore a Broken Tooth
- To Cover Severe Tooth Decay
- To Support a Dental Bridge
- To Cover Discolored or Misshapen Teeth
- After a Root Canal Treatment
- To Cover a Dental Implant
Potential Health Risks and Side Effects of Dental Crowns
1. Allergic Reactions (Rare but Possible)
A few individuals might be allergic to the metals found in dental crowns such as nickel or palladium. The following are possible signs and symptoms:
- Gum irritation
- Metallic taste
- Inflammation or redness
Solution: Metal allergy sufferers should choose porcelain or zirconia crowns.
2. Tooth Sensitivity
Once the crown is placed, some people notice:
- Being sensitive to warm or cold temperatures when eating
- Difficulty when putting pressure on teeth
The symptoms usually get better within a couple of weeks, except if the crown is fitted wrongly.
3. Nerve Damage or Infection
Should a tooth’s decay be extreme or its crown close to the nerve, this can:
- Inflammation of the pulp within the tooth is what’s known as pulpitis.
- The tooth will need a root canal if the pulp is inflamed.
Prevention: Before placing a crown, a qualified dentist looks at your tooth health to prevent nerve damage.
4. Gum Disease and Decay Under the Crown
Shoddy teeth cleaning can result in:
- There is plaque forming along the gum line.
- Swelling of the gums where the crown joins the tooth
- Dental problems beneath the crown
Action: Take care of your teeth by always brushing and seeing your dentist regularly.
5. Crown Loosening or Falling Off
As time passes, crowns may begin to loosen from the teeth for many reasons:
- Decreased dental cement performance
- This refers to cases of teeth grinding (bruxism).
- Biting into foods that need considerable force.
Solution: Do not bite hard things and consider using a nightguard to stop grinding your teeth.
Are Crown Materials Toxic or Harmful?
Many people worry if materials used for crowns might be harmful to the body. We will look at what the most used crown materials are:
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain/Ceramic | Natural look, biocompatible | Can chip, may wear opposing teeth |
| Metal (Gold, Palladium, Nickel) | Extremely durable | May cause allergies, metallic appearance |
| Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) | Strong and aesthetic | Metal may show at gumline, potential allergy risk |
| Zirconia | Highly durable, metal-free | Less translucent than porcelain |
Do Metal Crowns Leach Toxins?
Certain people are worried that metal ions could be absorbed by the body. Even though natural stone is rare, it may release small amounts of metal ions (like nickel) as time passes. The FDA still believes that dental metals are safe for most patients.
Alternative: Rather than that, you may select all-ceramic or zirconia crowns if you are concerned.
Long-Term Effects of Dental Crowns on Oral Health
Positive Effects:
- Mouth movement for chewing became possible again.
- Stops additional harm to the teeth
- Improves how your teeth and gums look.
Problems that may Arise:
- Over time, your teeth can become weaker if you have a lot of natural tooth structure removed (with all-ceramic crowns).
- Irritation from the crown (in case the fit isn’t correct)
- Need to replace crowns is common every 10-15 years or so
Key Takeaway: Properly maintained crowns should last many years before needing repairs.
Alternatives to Dental Crowns / Other options available instead of dental crowns
If you’re not sure about crowns, you might want to:
- Dental Veneers are often used for cosmetic issues (to fix any appearance problems).
- If not much of the tooth is affected, inlay/onlay (partial crown) can be used.
- Minor repairs often involve Composite Bonding (also referred to as Direct Composite Placement).
- A Tooth is Removed and an Implant is Placed (when the tooth can’t be restored)
Your dentist will guide you toward the right treatment considering your dental condition.
How to Minimize Risks and Keep Your Crown Healthy
To help your crown stay and not harm your health:
- Having good oral health includes brushing and flossing your teeth every day, paying extra attention to the gum line around the crown.
- Choose a toothpaste that will not damage the porcelain surface.
- Avoid chewing objects like ice, hard candy or pens.
- Consider getting a nightguard to prevent teeth grinding.
- Schedule check-ups with your dentist every 6 months.
Final Verdict: Are Crowns Bad for Your Health?
Dental crowns themselves do not generally cause health problems. Properly fitted and cared for crowns are safe and provide effective repair for broken teeth.
Even so, there are some risks (e.g., allergies, sensitivity or decay under the crown) that might happen in some cases:
- The crown is not well-shaped for the tooth.
- People pay too little attention to their oral care.
- The wrong kind of fabric is picked for the job.
In Short:
✔ Get help from an experienced dental practitioner
✔ Pick products made from biocompatible materials if you have sensitivities.
✔ Take good care of your oral hygiene
People in Mumbai can use these steps to protect their dental health when wearing crowns.
Keywords:
- Are dental crowns safe
- Crown health risks
- Metal crowns toxicity
- Porcelain crowns pros and cons
- How long do crowns last
- Dental crown side effects
- Best material for dental crowns
Reference
- American Dental Association (ADA). (2020). Dental Crowns. https://www.ada.org
- WebMD. (2022). Dental Crowns: Purpose, Procedure, Complications, Care. https://www.webmd.com
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Metal Allergies and Dental Work. https://www.mayoclinic.org
- Colgate. (2023). Why Is My Tooth Sensitive After a Crown? https://www.colgate.com
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). (2019). Tooth Decay and Nerve Damage. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov
- Journal of Clinical Periodontology. (2020). Periodontal Health and Dental Crowns. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
- Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. (2021). Longevity and Complications of Dental Crowns. https://www.journals.elsevier.com
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2022). Safety of Dental Materials. https://www.fda.gov
- International Journal of Dentistry. (2021). Biocompatibility of Dental Crown Materials. https://www.hindawi.com
- Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. (2020). Long-Term Survival of Dental Crowns. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
- British Dental Journal. (2022). Alternatives to Traditional Dental Crowns. https://www.nature.com
- Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA). (2021). Maintaining Dental Crowns. https://jada.ada.org
