A dental crown is a cap that fully encases a damaged tooth. Its primary purpose is to restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are a common solution for significant decay, large fillings, or weakened or broken teeth. This option protects the remaining tooth structure and allows the tooth to function properly.
When a Crown Can Be Used on a Broken Tooth
A broken tooth can be restored with a dental crown, depending on the damage’s extent and location. Teeth with chips or cracks affecting the enamel and dentin, but not extending deep into the pulp (the innermost part containing nerves and blood vessels), are good candidates. The tooth must have sufficient healthy structure above the gum line to provide a stable foundation. Without this, the crown may lack support or withstand biting forces.
Fractures extending into the root or significantly below the gum line are challenging for crown placement. If the break is too extensive, it might compromise the tooth’s and crown’s long-term stability. If the tooth’s pulp is exposed, a root canal procedure is necessary before a crown can be placed. This treatment removes infected or damaged pulp, cleans the tooth’s inside, and seals it to prevent further infection.
The Crown Process
Receiving a dental crown involves several steps, beginning with an initial examination of the broken tooth. The dentist assesses the damage through visual inspection and X-rays to determine if a crown is appropriate. If suitable, the tooth is prepared by shaping and reducing its outer layers. This creates space for the crown to fit without appearing bulky or interfering with the bite.
After preparation, an impression of the tooth is taken, using a putty-like material or a digital scanner. This impression serves as a precise mold for the dental laboratory to fabricate the permanent crown. A temporary crown is then placed to protect the tooth while the permanent one is made, which takes a week or two. Once ready, the temporary crown is removed, and the new crown is fitted and adjusted before being permanently bonded to the tooth with a strong dental adhesive.
What Happens if a Crown Isn’t an Option
Sometimes, damage to a broken tooth is too extensive for a crown to provide a long-term solution. If a severe fracture extends deep into the tooth’s root, or if the tooth is irreparably damaged, extraction may be the only option. Extraction involves removing the damaged tooth to prevent complications like infection or damage to adjacent teeth.
Following extraction, several options exist for replacing the missing tooth, restoring chewing function and maintaining surrounding teeth alignment. Dental implants, involving a titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone to support a crown, are a common and durable solution. Dental bridges offer another alternative, utilizing adjacent healthy teeth as anchors to support an artificial tooth in the gap. These options preserve oral health and aesthetics when a natural tooth cannot be saved with a crown.