Dental Crown for Back Teeth: What You Should Know

Why Back Teeth Often Need Crowns

A back tooth can appear fine from the outside, but have an amazingly large amount of damage underneath. Deep decay is one reason to consider a crown. Another is a large old filling. Cracks can also be a concern, as every bite you take puts pressure on the damaged tooth, testing its ability to withstand the force.

A crown is often recommended for a back tooth that has undergone root canal treatment, as the tooth will benefit from the additional protection the crown provides when biting down.

The Tooth Still Matters

A crown is not a replacement for the tooth. The tooth itself still matters. You may want to think about this because if there is not enough tooth structure to successfully place a crown, other treatment options will need to be considered. The tooth may even need to be rebuilt before a crown can even be considered.

What Getting a Crown on a Molar Feels Like

There may be an examination and an x-ray if the dentist wishes to see the root and surrounding bone. When the tooth is deemed fit for restoration, the dentist will remove any decay and reshape the tooth so that it will properly receive the crown.

A temporary crown may be placed while the permanent crown is being created. Do not think of this temporary crown as indestructible. Avoiding sticky foods is a must, as this could cause the temporary crown to lift off the tooth.

Selecting the Crown Material

For back teeth the ability to withstand pressure is often more important than how nice the crown will look. Dentists will often talk about using either zirconia or porcelain fused to a metal alloy for the crown, depending on the condition of your tooth and the pressure the tooth will endure.

Personally, I would rather have a crown that had been chosen because of its ability to withstand the forces placed upon it, than a crown that looks nice but cannot handle the force of a back tooth.

Looking After a Crown on Back Teeth

The permanent crown should feel like a natural part of your mouth. You may need a little time getting used to it. Good daily hygiene is still important as a crown does not make the gum tissues around the tooth resistant to plaque. The junction between the crown and the tooth needs just as much attention as the rest of your teeth.

• Pay special attention while brushing near the gumline on the crown. The small edge of the crown meets up with the gum tissues and should get extra attention.

• Flossing should be done normally, unless your dentist has instructed otherwise. If the floss feels tight when you first begin, do not force it. This can cause damage to the gum tissues.

• Hard chewing habits should be broken. Especially if you regularly chew on things like ice or very hard candy, without thinking about it.

• If your bite is not feeling right, this should be brought to the attention of your dentist. A slight adjustment can often make the crowned tooth feel much more natural.

• Unpleasant pain that is growing stronger should not be ignored. The crowned tooth may need to be re-examined.

A dental crown on a back tooth is really about protecting the tooth to help it continue its mundane but important role of chewing and getting bitten, while remaining unnoticed.

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