In the mouth of a healthy patient, a dental crown should last at least 10 years. This is why many dental practices offer a ten-year warranty on their dental crowns. If a crown breaks or becomes loose in that period, your dentist will then replace it or re-cement it free of charge. However, when a dental crown makes clicking or popping noises, this could be due to several reasons.
As a patient, it will help you to learn the most common causes of these sounds before taking the issue up with a cosmetic dentist. This will eliminate any confusion on your part and help you to better understand what to do next.
Your Bite Could Be Off
If the crown in question was placed recently, a clicking or popping sound could be an indication that your bite is off. "Bite" refers to the way that your teeth come together. While this occurrence is rare, it is possible for a crown to be misplaced. Even a slight miscalculation when placing a crown could cause the crown to click or pop whenever your teeth come together.
In this case, your dentist should do some fine-tuning at no extra cost.
You May Need Time to Adjust
If this is your first crown or you are currently having multiple dental treatments, you may need time to adjust to the new crown. Some new patients find themselves pushing on new crowns with their tongue or fingers. Naturally, this causes some movement and even a faint clicking. Even a well-fitted and cemented crown will click or seem to move when constantly pushed.
Nonetheless, check with your dentist anyway.
Gum Recession Causes Clicking
Some patients might also experience slight gum recession over time. This is both in response to the crowns and as a normal effect of ageing. When gums recede near a crown, you may hear a clicking during mealtimes. This caused by saliva flowing between the teeth as you eat, creating a vacuum that clicks or pops in the vicinity of the crown.
Loose Crowns Click
Over time, the cement used to glue the crown in place, deteriorates and flakes away. This is a serious issue because it is now possible for food debris and bacteria to flow under the crown. This could cause tooth decay under the crown. The clicking sound occurs when saliva, which contains bacteria and food debris, flows under the crown and back out again.
If your crown is at least several years old then, and has recently begun making popping noises, it may be because the crown is loose. Whatever you think the cause is, your dentist is the person best qualified to diagnose the problem. Book an appointment as soon as possible.
Share3 January 2018
As a mother, I've seen my kids' faces light up after they've lost a tooth – oh, the excitement they feel about getting their grown up teeth! However, I've also seen my kids become extremely scared and anxious after having an adult tooth knocked out. If you're a mom or a dad with a busy kid, chances are you might see a tooth knocked out in a skateboarding accident or a sport pile-up. This blog is dedicated to those moments when you could lose your wits, and it's here to ensure you don't. I am collecting and curating the best information about kids and dental emergencies here so that you will have it when you need it. Best of luck with your kids' smiles!
