What might be indicated if a patient experiences mobility in their existing crowns?

When a patient experiences mobility in existing crowns, it often indicates that there may be underlying issues affecting the crown's stability. This situation can arise due to various factors such as decay at the tooth preparation site, periodontal concerns, or structural failure of the crown itself.

The best course of action in such a case is the removal of the crowns, as this allows the clinician to assess the condition of the tooth beneath the crown as well as the health of the surrounding periodontal tissue. Removal may reveal issues like excessive decay or inadequate tooth structure that need to be addressed before any further restorative work can be done.

While re-cementing the crowns may seem like a simple solution if they are just loose, this approach fails to address the root cause of the mobility and could lead to further complications. Adjusting the occlusion typically focuses on bite-related issues, not on the stability of the crown itself. Replacing the crowns may also be necessary eventually, but first, a thorough assessment post-removal is critical to determine the appropriate treatment strategy. Hence, removal is the first critical step to ensure the overall health and success of future dental work.