Can a Dental Crown Save a Damaged Tooth?

When Can a Crown Save the Tooth

The most important consideration isn’t the unsightly nature of the damage from an external view. The dentist must assess how much healthy tooth remains and whether it is healthy enough to support or accommodate a crown, an activity that often requires an examination and dental x-rays.

Cracks are a good example. A cracked tooth may flex slightly when the patient bites down. This can cause the crack to widen over time. A well-placed crown holds the remaining structure together, limiting the flexing.

What If the Tooth Needs a Root Canal?

The inside of the tooth may be infected or inflamed at the time the dentist determines a crown is necessary. Under these circumstance, the dentist may need to perform a root canal procedure to remove the infected pulp and clean the interior of the tooth. The crown then serves to protect the tooth from the forces of mastication.

This is especially true in those situations where a root canal was performed on the affected tooth. In this case, the root canal-treated tooth is more likely to break, especially when the supporting structure has been compromised by the damage to the tooth. Leaving it exposed shouldn’t be something the dentist takes lightly.

When Can a Crown NOT Save the Tooth

A crown is a useful tool, but not the panacea some would have you believe. When the fracture extends below the gum line, there is significant damage to the root structure or insufficient structure for a crown to be placed, the crown may not be the answer.

Your dentist will consider a number of factors when determining whether you are a candidate for a crown. The root structure is one of the most important considerations, as is the amount of structure remaining on the crown of the tooth. Inflammation or infection of the root structure will also play a role.

• A minor chip or area of significant wear may be accompanied by ample structure beneath the surface to allow for a crown.

• A crack that extends well below the gum line can’t be made to last by adding a crown.

• Following a root canal procedure, the remaining tooth structure is more susceptible to fracturing due to mastication forces, so it may require additional protection.

How Getting a Crown Feels Like

The process of getting the crown requires that the damaged tooth is prepared to receive the crown, which often involves taking a mold or digital picture of the mouth for use in fabricating the crown.

It may also require the installation of a temporary crown to keep the tooth intact while the permanent crown is being constructed.

The finished crown should fit in such a way that it feels like a natural part of your mouth. If the bite feels uncomfortable when you close your mouth, it should be brought to the attention of your dentist, since he can easily make the necessary adjustments.

The Crown Isn’t an Invincible Shield

A crown is a good way to protect the compromised tooth, but it is by no means an impervious barrier. The tooth beneath the crown can still develop cavities if the plaque is allowed to accumulate around the edges of the crown. The gums also need special attention.

Can a Crown Really Save the Tooth?

With that said, a dental crown can successfully restore a compromised tooth when sufficient structure remains on the tooth and the root structure is sound. In this regard, the crown serves to dramatically improve the odds of the tooth surviving the damage by restoring it to its original form and function as far as the ability to chew comfortably is concerned.

And as with all such procedures, there is a time frame in which it is most successful. The likelihood of saving a tooth that could have been crowned is significantly compromised when the opportunity was not taken.

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