Why Your Bite Matters When You Get a Crown
When you think about getting a dental crown, appearance is probably one of the first things that comes to mind. Will it match the teeth around it? Will it look natural when you smile? Will anyone be able to tell it is there?
Those are all important questions, but there is another part of the result that matters just as much: how the crown feels when you bite down. A well-made crown should not only restore the look of a damaged tooth. It should also fit comfortably into the way your teeth come together every day.
Your Bite Is Doing More Work Than You Realize
Every time you chew, your teeth absorb and distribute pressure. Ideally, those forces are shared in a balanced way across the teeth that are meant to meet. When a new crown is placed, it becomes part of that system immediately.
If the crown sits even slightly too high, it may contact the opposing tooth sooner than the rest of your teeth do. That can make the area feel uncomfortable or simply “off,” especially when you chew. Sometimes the difference is very small, but your mouth can be surprisingly good at noticing it.
Why Chewing Forces Matter
A crown is designed to protect and restore a tooth that has been weakened, cracked, damaged, or otherwise compromised. Once it is in place, that restored tooth still has to handle the normal forces of chewing.
When the bite is balanced, those forces can be distributed more naturally. When one area is taking more pressure than it should, the tooth or restoration may experience unnecessary stress. That is one reason we do not consider a crown finished simply because it looks right.
Comfort Is Part of the Result
A new crown should feel like it belongs in your mouth. At first, you may be more aware of it simply because it is new, but your bite should not feel as though one tooth is hitting dramatically before the others or forcing you to chew differently.
If something feels unusual, it is worth mentioning. Sometimes a very small adjustment can make a big difference in how natural the crown feels when you close your mouth or eat. You should not have to train yourself to work around your new restoration.
Why We Check Your Bite Before You Leave
Once a crown is placed, one of the final steps is checking how your upper and lower teeth meet. You may be asked to bite down several times or move your jaw in different directions. This helps us identify areas where the crown may be contacting too strongly. If needed, small adjustments can be made so the restoration fits more comfortably into your existing bite.
This step may seem simple, but it is an important part of completing the treatment. The goal is for the crown to restore the tooth without creating a new source of pressure or discomfort elsewhere.
Looks and Function Should Work Together
Crowns are custom made to restore the shape, strength, and appearance of damaged teeth. At Vargas Dental Associates, they are also designed to blend naturally with the surrounding smile.
A crown that looks beautiful but does not feel comfortable would only be doing half its job. Restorative dentistry should bring those two goals together. Your crown should look like it belongs next to your natural teeth, but it should also allow you to chew comfortably and close your mouth without having to think about it.
Pay Attention to How Your Crown Feels
Once you leave the office, your own experience becomes an important part of the process. As the numbness wears off and you begin using the tooth normally again, pay attention to your bite. If the crown feels noticeably high, uncomfortable, or different in a way that does not settle, let us know. A small adjustment may be all that is needed.
If you have a damaged, cracked, or weakened tooth and would like to learn whether a crown may help restore it, schedule an appointment with our office located in Bowie, MD. We can evaluate the tooth, talk through your options, and make sure any restoration we create feels as comfortable as it looks.
