A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover designed to restore weak, broken, or decayed teeth. Same-day CEREC crowns can give you a major boost in confidence. And with proper care, the results are also long-lasting. On average, CEREC dental crowns last about 10 to 15 years. However, failing to care for your dental crown can significantly shorten its lifespan. Here’s how to properly clean and care for your same-day crowns so that your brilliant new smile lasts as long as possible.
How to Clean & Care for Your CEREC Dental Crowns
Immediately After Placement
One of the main advantages of CEREC crowns over traditional crowns is that they can be placed in a single appointment. That way there’s no need for a temporary crown.
Wait for the Anesthesia to Wear Off
However, just like traditional crowns, placing CEREC crowns requires a local anesthesia. Make sure to wait until the anesthesia has fully worn off before drinking hot beverages or eating any food, to avoid damaging your mouth.
Avoid Sticky, Chewy, and Hard Foods
Caring for your crown immediately after placement includes avoiding sticky, chewy, and hard foods for up to 24 hours after the procedure. Consuming these kinds of foods too soon can cause damage or pull the restoration out, while the dental cement is still hardening.
Brush and Floss Normally
It’s crucial that you brush and floss your crown—and the rest of your teeth—to prevent decay. Because crowns don’t reach very far below the gumline, it’s especially important to brush thoroughly along the gumline.
If bacteria are able to reach the root of the tooth under the crown, they can cause a tooth abscess or infection. You might end up needing a root canal and a new crown to save the tooth.
As always, you should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time, and floss daily. You can brush your teeth the same day you receive your crown. However, your dentist may recommend that you avoid flossing around the crowned tooth for the first day, while the cement hardens.
Long-Term Care Tips
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily
- Use a non-abrasive toothpaste
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports
- Wear a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth in your sleep
- Avoid chewing hard foods like ice and hard candy, which can chip or crack the crown
- Visit the dentist at least twice a year for regular cleanings and exams
- Avoid teeth-staining foods and drinks
Can CEREC Crowns Be Whitened?
Although CEREC crowns do not stain easily, they can get discolored over time. Unfortunately, they cannot be whitened later on. Avoid coffee, red wine, tea, dark berries, and other teeth-staining foods and drinks to help keep your smile bright.
CEREC dental crowns are designed to accurately match the color of your teeth during placement for a seamless smile. However, because they are very difficult to stain, over time they might start to look whiter than your natural teeth.
Same Day CEREC Crowns in South Jordan, Utah
If you have a cracked or damaged tooth, a dental crown can restore it. At Copper Creek Dental in Daybreak, we can fit you with a natural-looking, durable CEREC dental crown in just one appointment. We can also explain exactly how to care for your new crown to help ensure it lasts. Call us at 801-280-1911 today to schedule an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (8/16/2023). Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash