Crowns are a dental restoration used to protect or strengthen a natural tooth that is damaged. Crowns improve the appearance of a tooth and help protect it from any further damage. They are commonly made from ceramic or porcelain, and they are designed to match the color of your surrounding natural teeth. Metal or resin crowns are also used but are usually more expensive. Crowns are usually placed on a broken or decayed tooth or a tooth that has been treated with a root canal. Crowns are also used to support a dental bridge or to finish an implant.
Ceramic Crowns Do Not Turn Yellow
If your crowns are ceramic and in good condition, they will not turn yellow. It is always possible that something damaged the glaze on your crown resulting in discoloration.
Since ceramic crowns are color-stable, they also cannot be bleached or whitened and must be sent back to the lab. There the process used to change the shade of your crown will depend on how they were initially created.
Why Do New Dental Crowns Turn Yellow?
New dental crowns can turn yellow for a few reasons, including they are not ceramic, there is damage to the surface, and damage during a dental cleaning.
- Damage when adjusting the crown – If your dentist had to grind your crown to correct your bite, they could have damaged the glaze. Or the lab might not have glazed it properly.
- Damage during a dental cleaning – If your hygienist used a power cleaning instrument on your teeth that blasts them with sodium bicarbonate, it will also damage the glaze. Or an acidulated fluoride treatment will etch the glaze and discolor your crown.
- Your crowns are not ceramic – Your dentist placed a composite crown instead. You can ask for a copy of the lab certificate that lists the materials used.
Dental crowns are durable and long-lasting, but they are not stain-proof. But they are considered stain resistant. This is why it is important to take good care of your teeth to avoid discoloration and staining.
A Simple Cleaning Will Help
Although many crowns are ceramic, if not, they are more susceptible to staining. Porcelain crowns are also not immune and might have a surface stain that needs some more attention than your brushing. Stains on crowns can be caused by acidic foods like tomatoes, alcohol consumption, or cigarette smoke.
These stains may not be removed by regular brushing and flossing and will likely be solved by a regular, professional dental cleaning. Your dentist has the tools to safely clean both your natural teeth and any crowns.
Treatment for Damaged Crowns and Teeth
Sometimes more intensive dental care is needed, such as a case for a damaged crown and the weakened tooth beneath it. If the crown is damaged, treatment most likely will involve replacement. The degree of attention that the natural tooth beneath will vary.
In some situations, the crown will simply need replacement and the natural tooth beneath will need some cleaning to remove any stains caused by a leak. If the tooth beneath the damaged crown has sustained significant damage and decay it tends to create a gray appearance rather than a yellow one.