I Need Crowns on my Molars. Do the Crowns Have an Odor to Them?

Question

Will they cause halitosis? What type of crowns offer the best fit? Thank you.

Paul D. Kantor, DDS · Answer

Crowns don't have any special odor or taste to them, and once in place for a few days you really shouldn't notice they are there. As far as bad breath or halitosis, crowns won't cause it but not keeping them clean will. If plaque is allowed to build up on the crowns then there could be a bad taste or odor (or decay that can cause a crown to fail). The fit of a crown is more the result of the ability and care taken by the dentist and lab than of one type of crown over the other.
	There are many different types of crowns, these could be all gold, or porcelain fused to metal, or all ceramic. There is really no one best material for all situations. I would be very cautious of crowns at the low end of the price range for your area. Often these are porcelain fused to metal crowns which contain nickel instead of a precious metal such as gold. The issue with nickel is that many people, particularly women, are allergic to it. This increases the chances of problems later on. These types of crowns are also frequently made offshore for a very low cost and with questionable quality.

Elizabeth Jahanian, DDS · Answer

Dental crowns neither have an odor nor cause halitosis or bad breath.  Common causes of bad odor coming from the mouth include severe decay and infection of the gums. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash twice a day should prevent bad breath.  It also helps to gently brush the tongue.

	There are crowns that are made only of porcelain or of metal, while others are made of porcelain fused to metal.  All porcelain crowns are more esthetic, but all crowns should fit well with closed margins when delivered.  Best, Dr. Elizabeth Jahanian

Marc Zive, DMD · Answer

Crowns do not cause bad breath.  Halitosis is the result of plaque and bacteria building up in the mouth.  It may also be caused by untreated oral infections such as gum disease, decay or abcess.  If a crown is not properly fitted to the preapared tooth, leaving an open margin, then buildup of bacterial in this opening can also cause halitosis.

	Skill of the dentist in preparing the tooth for a crown, accuracy of the impression and skill of the lab technician making the crown are the factors which effect fit and marginal adaptation.  A poorly designed crown will likely fail.  A properly designed and fit crown will succeed so long as the patient maintains their oral hygiene.

	In our office we use the CEREC system to take highly accurate digital impressions.  We examine the digital scan and modify the prepared tooth to optimize crown design.  CAD/CAM or computer assisted technologies are used to mill a porcelain crown that precisely fits the tooth.  The result is a precision fit, aesthetic crown, that can last a lifetime.

Antoaneta Barba, DDS · Answer

The crowns do not have any odor.Once you have them you must have a very good oral hygiene.Brushing and flossing especially help a lot in avoiding any bad smell.

Joseph W. Worthington, DDS · Answer

Crowns have no odor to them however if there are spaces between them that harbor bacteria or poor fitting margins that can do the same, an odor can occur.

Daniel Beninato, DDS · Answer

Crowns will be odorless, however if a crown has a poor fit and attracts bacteria, an odor may develop.

Keith Blankenship, DDS · Answer

Your question to the types of crowns and odors is an interesting one. Crowns should not have an odor or smell to them. If this is happening you may want to go back to your dentis and inauir about a new crown. During cementation of the crown you may experience some smell to the agents but it quickly goes away. Otherwise not at all. If however, the crown does not fit well and there becomes a food trap around the crown, an odor can occur simply from the byproduct that bacteria give off from the food entrapment. This is very atypical and unusual. You may want to go back to your dentist znd ask about having a new crown fabricated to reduce the food trap. There are many types of crowns but basically all porcelain of porcelain fused to gold is used most often. Both are esthetic and strong.

Zola A Makrauer, DMD · Answer

If a dental crown is made well to fit the tooth, and the patient is keeping the tooth clean by brushing and flossing properly than there should not be any odor.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

Crowns on your teeth have don't have any special odor or taste them and once they are placed you should not have any idea that they are in your mouth. What causes bad breath or halitosis is not keeping your teeth and mouth clean. There are many different materials used for crowns (gold, porcleain, porcelain fused to gold) etc.

Michael Dorociak, DDS · Answer

Crowns are needed when the tooth can no longer support a filling.  When fitted properly, they will function like any other tooth in the mouth. As a result, they must also be kept clean like any other tooth in the mouth.  But they will not cause halitosis by themselves.

	All crowns should fit properly.  In terms of longevity, gold crowns serve the longest but are the least cosmetic. Porcelain fused to metal crowns are well proven and provide strength and longevity.  Esthetically they do not serve as long as they function. The newer all ceramic crowns are providing a challenge to the porcelain fused to metal crowns. The strongest of the these is the all zirconia crowns.  More research is needed.

	Have your dentist discuss which crown is best for you in your particular situation.

	Good luck!

I Need Crowns on my Molars. Do the Crowns Have an Odor to Them?

Answers (12)

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