A sore jaw or tooth pain may be a sign of nocturnal teeth grinding, a condition that can gradually damage dental restorations. While custom crowns are highly durable, constant nightly pressure chips, cracks, or loosens them. Timely intervention is absolutely important to make sure your restorations work effectively as they should.
How Teeth Grinding Impacts Your Dental Crowns
When you sleep, the central nervous system can trigger involuntary clenching and grinding that generate significantly higher bite forces than normal chewing. This massive force is significantly higher than the standard pressure produced when you eat normal meals during the daytime.
The intense mechanical force exerts unnatural pressure on enamel and porcelain crowns. However, ceramic crowns are very resilient, but they are not made to withstand constant, unyielding friction without wearing out.
Microfractures and Visible Ceramic Chips
Bruxism slowly wears down dental crowns and causes microfractures that become visible chips. These chips remove the protection of the tooth and expose the tooth underneath to bacteria. In this case, dentists replace crowns to restore the seal and keep your long-term dental health.
Loose Crowns and Dental Cement Failure
Over time, clenching wears away the dental cement that holds your crown in place. When the cement fails, loose crowns allow food and bacteria to get underneath. This buildup quickly causes hidden tooth decay, which requires immediate attention.
Accelerated Wear on Opposing Natural Teeth
Ceramic crowns are extremely hard and rigid. Teeth grinding wears down the rough surface of the crown, so it rubs against your healthy opposing teeth like sandpaper. It quickly wears away your natural enamel, causing sharp pain, temperature sensitivity, and an uneven bite unless the grinding habit is treated early.
The Symptoms of Damaged Crowns
It is important to catch the early warning signs of grinding damage before your dental work fails completely. Watch for these common symptoms:
- Constant pain while chewing food
- Sharp headaches when waking up
- A crown that feels strangely loose
- Flat, worn-down spots on your teeth
Can Crowns Treat Teeth Grinding?
Dental crowns are meant to restore the shape and strength of a tooth damaged by clenching; they are not a cure for teeth grinding. The involuntary habit will still continue overnight. To keep your new restorations and remaining natural teeth safe, it is crucial to know the root cause to ensure long-term dental success.
How To Protect Dental Crowns
Wearing a mouthguard protects your crowns by absorbing heavy pressure while you sleep. If you have a severe grinding habit, your dentist might suggest upgrading to incredibly tough zirconia restorations. Regular dental cleanings and stress reduction extend the life of your oral restorations.
Final Thoughts
In short, chronic teeth grinding easily damages your dental crowns. Using a custom nightguard and keeping up with regular dental care protects your restorations for a long time. If you notice a loose cap, tooth pain, or morning jaw stiffness, do not wait for the damage to worsen.
Contact Integrity Dental at (586) 977-0300 to schedule your comprehensive exam today. Our team of dental professionals takes the time to listen to you and then recommends the best possible treatment for you.