If you have tooth damage of any sort, one of your options is to get a dental crown. These restorations help prevent the damage to your teeth from getting worse, while bringing stability to the tooth. It’s essential, however, for the crown to fit correctly. If you don’t, you can start feeling that your bite is uneven.
An uneven bite can be uncomfortable and put the crown at risk of damage. Learn more about the signs that you may need a dental crown bite adjustment.
Signs Your Might Need a Dental Crown Bite Adjustment
It can take a few days after receiving a dental crown to get a sense of its exact feel. Your mouth has to get used to having these restorations. However, you may need a dental crown bite adjustment if you experience adjustment symptoms such as:
- Bulky Feeling: If you feel that the crowns don’t quite fit your mouth, that could require an adjustment
- Jaw Tension and Pain: You can experience muscle fatigue in your face, neck, or shoulders, which can often lead to headaches\
- Pain When Chewing: Pain while biting down or the feeling that the crown is rubbing against your gums should not be ignored
- Sensitivity: Hot and cold sensitivity can be serious enough to impact your eating habits
- Increased Teeth Clenching or Grinding: You may feel an increase in your need to bite down and grind your teeth to find a more comfortable bite
- Trouble Chewing: You may find that you’re not chewing food well because there is uneven bite force
All of these issues can cause serious discomfort. Fortunately, there are dental crown bite adjustment procedures that can assist you. As soon as you start feeling any of these symptoms, you should schedule a visit with your dentist to address the bite misalignment.
What Is a Dental Crown Adjustment for Bite Misalignment?
A dental crown bite adjustment fixes the alignment issues you may be having with the crown’s fit. It involves reshaping the surface of the crown or the tooth on the opposite side to help you achieve a more comfortable bite. There are a few different ways that your dentist may get a sense of what part of the crown to reshape and how much to grind down.
You may need to bite down on articulating paper, which will leave a clear impression of where the problem lies. Your dentist will get a sense of where the crown or crowns are too high. They can then use a fast-rotating polishing tool to grind the crown or opposing tooth down enough to create an even bite.
Once that’s done, you’ll have to bite down on the paper again. The process will repeat until the discomfort eases and you feel that the bite is even. The next step is to polish the affected area.
This procedure is a relatively fast one that doesn’t require anesthetics of any type. It doesn’t mean that the crown has been installed incorrectly or that it will give you problems later on. A dental crown bite adjustment is a relatively common part of the process of getting these restorations.
Maintaining Your Adjusted Dental Crowns for an Uneven Bite
After receiving a dental crown bite adjustment, it’s important to ensure the crown lasts for as long as possible. You will need to brush your teeth and the crown twice a day. Do so with a non-abrasive toothbrush and toothpaste. You should floss once a day, too, especially around the gum line. This helps prevent decay in the underlying tooth.
You will need to avoid sticky or hard foods, since these can cause all manner of damage to the crown. These food items can dislodge or crack the restorations. Don’t use your teeth like tools, either.
Tooth grinding is a concern for dental crowns. If you tend to do this while you sleep, wearing a night guard can be a good way of preventing dental crown damage.
Need a Crown Adjustment? Turn to Dr. Brett Langston
If you have gotten a dental crown and you think there is a fit issue that impacts your bite, it can be helpful to consider dental crown bite adjustments. They can not only make the dental crowns more comfortable, but they can also protect the restorations by ensuring they don’t receive uneven pressure every time you bite down.
Dr. Brett Langston’s dentistry office offers the restorative dental and oral services you need to improve your smile and your bite force. Contact the clinic to schedule an appointment with our experienced dentist.
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