A dental crown is commonly recommended when a tooth has been damaged or weakened but can still be preserved.
But does every cracked, filled or root canal-treated tooth need one? Not necessarily.
The decision depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains, where the tooth is located, the forces it needs to handle and what your dentist sees during an examination.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, sometimes called a “cap,” covers the visible portion of a tooth.
It is designed to restore the tooth’s shape, function and strength while protecting the remaining tooth structure underneath.
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Crowns can be made from different materials, and your dentist can recommend an option based on the location of the tooth, appearance, function and your individual needs.
When Might a Dental Crown Be Recommended?
A Tooth Has a Large Filling
When a tooth has a very large filling, there may not be enough natural tooth structure remaining to support another filling predictably.
A crown may be considered to cover and protect the weakened tooth.
A Tooth Is Broken or Cracked
Not every crack requires the same treatment.
A small chip may be repaired conservatively, while a more significantly damaged tooth may need greater protection.
If enough healthy tooth remains, a crown can sometimes help restore a broken or weakened tooth.
The first step is determining the location and extent of the damage.
After Root Canal Treatment
A tooth that has undergone root canal treatment may sometimes require a crown, particularly when it is a back tooth exposed to significant chewing forces or when substantial tooth structure has already been lost.
Your dentist will assess how much tooth remains and what type of restoration is appropriate.
A Tooth Is Significantly Worn
Teeth can become worn for different reasons, including long-term forces, grinding, erosion or changes in the bite.
In some cases, crowns may be part of restoring severely worn teeth. But simply covering the worn tooth does not explain why it became worn.
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Understanding the cause is an important part of treatment planning. To Restore the Appearance and Function of a Damaged Tooth
A crown may also be considered when a tooth is severely discoloured, misshapen or structurally compromised.
However, if the concern is primarily cosmetic, more conservative options may sometimes be available.
Does Every Damaged Tooth Need a Crown?
No.
Depending on how much tooth structure remains, treatment options may include:
- A filling
- Bonding
- An inlay or onlay
- Root canal treatment followed by restoratio
- Extraction if the tooth cannot be predictably restored
Your dentist should consider whether the tooth can be preserved and how much treatment is actually necessary.
What Happens When You Get a Crown?
The traditional crown process usually involves preparing the tooth so there is room for the restoration.
Records or impressions are then taken so the crown can be created to fit your tooth and bite.
A temporary crown may be placed while the final restoration is being made.
Once the final crown is ready, your dentist checks its fit, bite, shape and appearance before securing it in place.
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Can a Crown Save a Tooth?
A crown can protect and restore many damaged teeth, but it cannot make every tooth treatable.
The tooth still needs an appropriate foundation and healthy supporting tissues.
If a tooth is severely fractured or otherwise cannot be restored predictably, your dentist may need to discuss other options.
That is why an examination should come before deciding on the restoration.
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If a tooth is broken, heavily filled, worn or uncomfortable when you bite, it is worth having it assessed before more tooth structure is lost.
At Smiles by Bis in Oakville, our dental team evaluates the condition of the tooth, the surrounding tissues and how the tooth functions before recommending treatment.
The goal is not simply to place a crown. It is to determine what the tooth needs and whether it can be preserved.
Call 905-338-6684 to book an appointment in Oakville.
Dental Crowns and Bridges Oakville