I’m frustrated because I had to relocate and switch dentists in the middle of Invisalign treatment. After examining my teeth, my new dentist recommended a crown for my bottom right first molar. She attached the crown but didn’t spend a lot of time checking my bite. She seemed in a hurry. My crown feels wobbly and doesn’t fit right. I can really feel it when I chew on the right side of my mouth. What should I tell my dentist to do to correct it? I’m worried that if she can’t get the crown right, I will have to switch dentists again and prolong my Invisalign treatment. Thank you. Autumn from Kansas
Autumn,
We understand your concerns about your dental crown and the frustration it is causing during Invisalign treatment. Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your crown to determine the cause of looseness and how to resolve it. But we are concerned because dentists dedicated to providing quality work will check a crown thoroughly before cementing it to your tooth.
When a dentist places a new crown, it should feel like a natural tooth. You shouldn’t notice the crown at all. If your crown is loose on the tooth, it will eventually fall off.
Reasons for a Loose New Dental Crown
If your new dental crown is loose, there are two possible causes—not enough tooth structure or a problem with cementing it.
- Not enough tooth structure – If you don’t have enough healthy tooth structure to support a crown or if your dentist aggressively prepares your tooth, a crown can feel loose. The more a dentist tapers your tooth, the less likely it is to stay on. It takes a lot of precision for a dentist to prepare a tooth for a crown minimally.
If your tooth is too small for a crown to adhere to it, a skilled dentist can build up the tooth for a secure bond. - Crown cement isn’t strong enough – It is possible that the cement was contaminated during the bonding process. Or something might have gone wrong during the bonding process. But in most cases, if a dentist prepares a tooth properly, even the weakest cement will hold.
Find a dentist with Invisalign experienced and advanced cosmetic dentistry training
Schedule an appointment for your dentist to check the crown. If she doesn’t have a satisfactory answer, schedule a second opinion with an experienced cosmetic dentist. Look for a dentist with advanced training in dental aesthetics and experience with Invisalign. If a dentist has experience in both areas, it can eliminate the need to find yet another dentist to resume your Invisalign treatment.
Steven Brooksher, DDS, of Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.
