How can decay be detected under crowns - which prevent x-ray viewing?
- Patti from Virginia
Patti,
You’re right that a crown blocks the x-rays. So when you get tooth decay under a crown, sometimes you can’t see it on the x-ray until it gets really large. Fortunately, more often than not the decay is at the margin of the crown, so the dentist can see it below the crown.
The key to preventing recurring decayaround a dental crown is to make the fit so precise that there is no gap or irregularity in the surface where the tooth meets the crown. This is where decay will start—right on that margin. In our office, we provide a lifetime warranty on dental work, because we are so careful with how the crown fits. Getting that perfect fit is the key to a crown that lasts.