Dental crowns are a successful traditional restoration, often to protect and strengthen a damaged natural tooth. A dental crown improves the visual aesthetics of a tooth and protects it from further damage. They are often created from ceramic or porcelain, and they are personally custom-designed to match the color and shade of your natural teeth. Resin or metal crowns are also used, but are more expensive. Dental crowns are placed on a broken or decayed tooth or a tooth that has been treated with a root canal procedure. Dental crowns are often needed to support traditional dental bridges or to complete dental implant placements.
Ceramic Crowns Do Not Turn Yellow
If your dental crown is ceramic and is in good condition, it will not turn yellow. It is possible, though, that if the crown is damaged, the glaze on your crown could result in discoloration.
Ceramic crowns are extremely color-stable, so they cannot be bleached or whitened and must be returned to the lab if the color needs correction. The process used to correct the shade of your crown will depend on how the original fabrication.
Why Do New Dental Crowns Turn Yellow?
A new dental crown might turn yellow for various reasons, such as not being ceramic, damage to the surface, or damage during dental cleaning.
- Your crown is not ceramic – Your dentist could have used a composite crown instead of ceramic. You can ask for a copy of the lab certificate, which documents the material.
- Damage when adjusting the crown – If your dentist had to do some minor grinding to your crown to improve your bite, it could have damaged the final glaze. Or the lab may not have glazed it properly.
- Damage during a dental cleaning – If your hygienist uses an instrument that blasts your teeth with sodium bicarbonate, it can damage the glaze. Or an acidulated fluoride treatment can etch the glaze, causing the crown to discolor.
Dental crowns are durable and have an extended life expectancy, but they are not completely stain-proof. Instead, they are considered stain-resistant. This is why it is so important to take diligent care of your teeth to avoid discoloration or staining.
A Simple Cleaning Will Help
Most crowns are ceramic, but if not, they are more susceptible to staining. Porcelain crowns are not invincible and may have a surface stain that will need more attention than brushing. Stains on a crown might also be caused by acidic foods such as tomatoes, cigarette smoke, or alcohol consumption.
These stains will not be removed by regular brushing and flossing, but can be by professional dental cleaning. Your dental team has the proper tools to clean your natural teeth and crowns.
Treatment for Damaged Crowns and Teeth
Sometimes, more intensive dental care might be needed, like a damaged crown or a weakened tooth beneath the crown. If the crown is damaged, the correct solution is to replace it. The extent of attention needed for your natural tooth can vary, like needing cleaning to remove stains from a leak. If the tooth beneath your damaged crown has considerable damage or decay, it often turns into a gray appearance rather than a yellow one.
Related Article: Ceramic vs Porcelain Crowns