A dental crown is a custom-made, tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its function, strength, and appearance. This restoration fully encases the entire visible portion of the tooth, acting like a protective helmet. Crowns are a common and effective procedure used in restorative dentistry to ensure the structural integrity of a compromised tooth. Treatment is necessary when a tooth is severely weakened by decay, fracture, or a very large filling that compromises the remaining natural tooth structure.
Why Adjacent Crowns Are Possible and Necessary
Having two dental crowns placed immediately next to each other is a common and entirely possible procedure. This situation arises when two neighboring teeth have sustained damage so extensive that both require a full restoration. This often involves widespread decay affecting the adjacent surfaces of both teeth, or large fractures. In these instances, a filling is insufficient to provide the necessary structural reinforcement.
Dental professionals treat each tooth individually. If two adjacent teeth meet the clinical threshold for crowning, both are prepared and restored with separate crowns to protect and support the underlying natural tooth structure.
Ensuring Proper Fit and Contact Points
The technical challenge of placing adjacent crowns lies in the precision required to ensure an ideal relationship between the two new restorations. The contact point, the small area where the crowns touch, must be perfectly executed. If the contact point is too open, food debris becomes wedged between the crowns, leading to chronic food impaction, gum inflammation, and potential decay. Conversely, a contact point that is too tight can make flossing impossible and lead to discomfort or improper seating.
A precise fit also depends on the crown margins, the edges where the restoration meets the prepared tooth structure near the gum line. When two crowns are side-by-side, their margins are in close proximity. Precise margin placement minimizes any microscopic gap or ledge, which could create a retention area for plaque and bacteria, leading to recurrent decay. The preparation of two adjacent teeth must ensure they have parallel paths of insertion, allowing both crowns to seat fully without binding during final placement.
Long-Term Hygiene and Maintenance
The presence of two adjacent crowns requires meticulous oral hygiene to ensure the longevity of the restorations and the health of the surrounding gum tissue. The interproximal space, where the crowns meet, is particularly susceptible to plaque accumulation. Regular brushing is essential, but flossing provides the necessary cleaning below the tight contact area and along the crown margins. Keeping the gum tissue clean prevents gingivitis and periodontitis, which can compromise the restoration’s seal.
Since traditional flossing may be difficult in this area, specialized tools are often recommended. Floss threaders stiffen a segment of floss to guide it under the contact point for daily cleaning. Interdental brushes or water flossers are also suggested as supplemental aids to clear away trapped debris or plaque. Consistent care of this specific area prevents bacterial ingress and decay on the natural tooth structure beneath the crown.